My Birthday 2014

It's amazing to see a special birthday greeting on the Google search engine. I really don't know how they do it but it makes Google users like me feel special even if I have turned 43 years old today. 

Getting old is of course inevitable and inescapable but it should add another year of triumph over life's tests and trials. It might not be something to look forward to in terms of grey hair but it is part of life's journey that we all need to enjoy.

Typhoon Haiyan Video

Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda in the Philippines has been the worst cyclone that hits Philippine archipelago in years. It could be the worst and catastrophic natural disaster since the tidal wave in Mindanao in the seventies. 

The death toll has risen to approximately 6,000 dead. The typhoon has not only uprooted trees, brought down power and telephone lines, torn houses, roofs and facades. It has also uprooted people from their homes and towns, and estranged them from their families. Yolanda has shattered window glasses and children's dreams.

However, as long as we keep our heads up high in faith, we can survive this debacle. As long as we set aside differences and offer our hands to help in anyway we can, we can rise again. Thanks to those who have been gracious and benevolent in helping those who have been affected by this devastating typhoon. May God richly bless them. 

Post by Kevin Ray N. Chua.

Google Celebrates 15 Years

Today’s Google Doodle is amazing. It features a “hitting the pot” game among children’s parties. I have tried a few hits. It is fun to be like a child again. However, I am curious about why such is up on the Google site.

I have learned that Google is celebrating its 15 years. It is amazing that only after such a time, the largest internet search engine has grown into a huge influence and part particularly in putting up strategies for online internet marketing.

On its 15th year, Google has announced a change in its search algorithm. From Caffeine, that focuses much on ranking, they are now using a new engine, the Hummingbird, which focuses more on indexing.

According to an article by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer:

"Hummingbird is primarily aimed at giving Google's search engine a better grasp at understanding concepts instead of mere words, Singhal said.

The change needed to be done, Singhal said, because people have become so reliant on Google that they now routinely enter lengthy questions into the search box instead of just a few words related to specific topics.

With the advent of smartphones and Google's voice-recognition technology, people also are increasingly submitting search requests in sequences of spoken sentences that resemble an ongoing conversation. That trend also factored into Google's decision to hatch Hummingbird." (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/google-retools-internet-search-engine-20386206)

Users of Google Adwords and Google Adsense might need more information about this huge change. However, the ordinary internet searcher only wants credible and fast results for their queries. That is the most important thing that they need from any search engine.

How this change will affect the internet life remains to be seen... Happy Birthday Google!

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns!

Image: fallibleblogma.com

Today is Ash Wednesday, a very important date for Roman Catholics and Christians around the world. This day marks the start of the Lenten season, the sacrifice and passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Catholics wear ash crosses on their foreheads as a symbol that God has formed man from ash and to ash, he will return when he dies.

For the Roman Catholics, this year’s Ash Wednesday is not only a day for sorrowful reflection because of Christ’s death but also because their supreme pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI has resigned from the papacy due to health reasons. This is the fourth time in the entire history of the Holy Roman Empire that a pope has resigned from his position as Bishop of Rome. The first is St. Clement I. The second is Celestine V in 1294 who has occupied the papacy for only six months. He has resigned because he has felt that he is not suitable for the position. The third is Pope Gregory XII in 1415. He has resigned at that time as a sacrificial gesture to heal the Great Western Schism reigning at that time.

(info: http://www.romereports.com)

A flash of lighting is seen over St.Peter's Basilica during a rainstorm at Vatican in this picture provided by Ansa on February 11, 2013. Pope Benedict stunned the Roman Catholic Church on Monday when he announced he would stand down, the first pope to do so in 700 years, saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to carry on. REUTERS/ANSA/ Alessandro Di Meo ( VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION) ATTENTION EDITORS - NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO MAGS. NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. ITALY OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ITALY

However, a strange coincidence has happened in Rome after the pontiff has announced his resignation. A lightning flash has struck over St Peter’s Basilica night of February 11, 2013. Those who believe in divine signs might connect the extraordinary incident with the pope’s resignation. It is indeed a strange occurrence.

Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation from papacy will be one of the biggest news events this year and perhaps even in this decade.

Image Credit: "Lightning Over St. Peter's Basilica" Images are from Yahoo News!

Linked-In Celebrates 200M Members

Linked-In is celebrating an astounding achievement of reaching 200 million members world-wide. I have have received an email from Linked-In that I am among the first 500,000 members in the Philippines.

Perhaps, I don't need to explain what Linked-In is to netizens or to those who immerse themselves deeply into the blogosphere but still, for those who are not so involved with social media or those who are in Facebook alone, Linked-In is another social media site where users can connect with colleagues, friends and people who share the same interests. 

It is a good site for professionals or people who are looking for business opportunities and for those who would like to offer services. It is essential too even for those who would just like to connect with old and new friends alike.

I must admit I have not been very active in Linked-In because I have no professional career to boast about but I am happy to connect with friends through Linked-In. It has been a wonderful experience.

2012 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Photos

Last November 28, 2012, a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occured. I was a bit curious about how the moon would loook that night. Just right after dinner, the moon showed up across the sky from our location. It was a great chance to capture the scene but unfortunately, I didn’t have a good camera. Only a Cherry Mobile D2 camera phone was available so I took pictures with it.

However, I haven’t been able to post the pictures right away. I know this is two months late but I’ve decided to post it anyway. 

According to experts, the next penumbral lunar eclipse would be on April 2013. Hopefully, by that time, I’d be able to capture the cosmic event with a better camera.

What is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse?

“Although the Moon is a dark object, it can be seen in the sky most of the time because its surface reflects the Sun's rays back to Earth. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and Moon but the three celestial bodies do not form a perfectly straight line. The Moon then travels through the outer part of the Earth's shadow (penumbra). This means that all of the Moon's visible surface still receives some direct sunlight - but the Earth obscures parts of the Sun, as seen from the Moon” (http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/penumbral-lunar-eclipse.html).

Pacquiao’s Defeat

Pacquiao’s Defeat

Image Credit:

http://tvwinx.com/

 

I was not able to watch the fight live yesterday. We were in church and we attended an important church activity. We got home at around two-thirty in the afternoon; just in time for the delayed telecast. It was already on the explosive third round when Marquez scored the first knock down of the match.

At that time, a friend already text-ed me that Pacquiao lost by knock out in the sixth round. I was a bit shocked and was still expecting that I misunderstood the message. So I went on to see the succeeding rounds.

I felt Pacquiao was in control of the match. He was at his usual agility, speed and strength. When he scored a knock out in the fifth round and almost pulverized Marquez with one-two combinations, which left the Mexican fighter bleeding on his face, I thought I just misunderstood the text message I received earlier.

Finally, in the sixth round, I felt Pacquiao was smoking hot. I thought I saw Marquez’ mouth piece even sliding out. Toward the final seconds, I was convinced Manny was winning the fight big time. Suddenly, I saw him fall face down almost lifeless. I was stunned! It was dreadful! Manny was hit by a lucky punch! It was unbelievable!

I do not mean to offend Marquez and his followers. I say it is a lucky punch because I feel that it has come just by accident. I do not mean to undermine Marquez’ skill and the effort he has put into his training. I also believe he deserves the victory this time.

Obviously, Manny became too reckless in this fight. Perhaps over confidence got the better of him. If there will be a next fight between the two gallant fighters, Manny should keep this lesson in mind.

Pacquiao Won! -WBO

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has released the result of its review of the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. The result is unanimous; all five judges who have reviewed the fight have scored in favor of the peoples’ champ Manny Pacquiao!

AFP/Getty Images - Manny Pacquiao (L) of the Philippines exchanges blows with Timothy Bradley (R) of the US during their WBO welterweight title match at the MGM Grand Arena on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unbeaten Bradley ended Pacquiao's long unbeaten run with a controversial split decision victory over the Filipino ring icon. AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMARJOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages

However, in spite of the result of the review, WBO says it has no power to reverse the decision of the judges in the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. All they can do now is order a rematch.

The contract between the two fighters has a rematch clause anyway so WBO’s order for a rematch does not seem to be that crucial.

According to Pacquiao, he welcomes the result of the review and expresses gratitude to all who have supported him but as far as the rematch is concern, it is all up to his promoter.

I think the review has proven that Pacquiao is the true winner of the fight.

WBO Reviews Pacquiao-Bradley Fight

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has announced that it will review the controversial fight between Pacquiao and Bradley last June 10.

Perhaps, the public's antagonistic opinion against the result of the fight has caused pressure on the part of the boxing organization.

I just don’t know how the result of the review will affect the result of the fight. Well, no matter how the judges who will review the fight will say, Pacquiao remains the champion in the hearts of his boxing fans.

Pacquiao Bradley Fight Result to be Reviewed

According to the latest news string of GMA News, RingTv.com has reported that the Nevada State Athletic Commission is set to review the Pacquiao-Bradley fight amid intense criticisms. According to the report, Executive Director of NSAC, Keith Kizer has agreed to go over the tape of the fight together with the three judges.

"We're going to review the tape of the bout because there was so much controversy and... disagreement with the decision. Even with bouts with less controversy, judges like to review the tape anyway," Kizer told RingTV.com's Lem Satterfield.

I just do not know how the review would affect the outcome of the fight. I doubt it very much if they would reverse their decision. It would be embarrassing and would even put boxing in bad light. However, should they change their decision; it would be a welcome development for Pacman’s fans. However, that might not just enough to stop a rematch unless Bob Arum refuses to do the rematch, which I believe is very much unlikely to happen.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Earlier on, Bob Arum has said that he would not allow the rematch unless authorities investigate the result of the last fight. Perhaps, the move of the Nevada State Athletic Commission to review the fight is more than welcome to him.

The Pacquiao-Bradley rematch would be a big boxing event come November.

Pacquiao Loses to Bradley via Split Decision

The outcome of the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley yesterday stunned me immensely. I could not believe that Pacman had lost over the Desert Storm! The outcome was unexpected and practically unbelievable based on what I had seen!

I felt the challenger had not dominated the fight against the champion. In fact, he had not hurt Pacquiao in any round while he on the other hand wobbled at least in two instances. Clearly, the hard punches of Pacman had hurt Bradley.

I admit that the champion slowed down toward the end of the fight particularly in the last three rounds, nevertheless, Bradley failed to hit him hard.

While I agree with Manny that he indeed had won the fight, I also agree that we should all respect the decision of the judges because we are good sports. Besides, no amount of protest can turn it around.

Maybe it is one way of getting Manny out of retirement’s way. I just hope that it is not a handy work of scheming and unscrupulous people behind the fight.

I guess we can all expect a Pacquiao Bradley rematch.