The Red Zone Republic

Here are the winners of the recently concluded 36th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Awards Night 2010:


Best Picture: Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To! (Star Cinema)
2nd Best Picture: Rosario (Cinemabuhay & Studio5)
3rd Best Picture: RPG: Metanoia (Ambient Media & Star Cinema)
Best Actress: Ai-Ai delas Alas (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Actor: Dolphy (Father Jejemon)
Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: Rosario
Best Director: Wenn Deramas (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Screenplay: Mel del Rosario (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Story: Mel del Rosario (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Supporting Actress: Eugene Domingo (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Supporting Actor: Dolphy (Rosario)
Best Cinematography: Carlo Mendoza (Rosario)
Best Editing: John Wong (Rosario)
Best Production Design: Joel Luna & Miki Hahn (Rosario)
Best Visual Effects: Rico Guttierez & Co. (Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote)
Best Makeup: Nestor Dayao & Co. (Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote)
Best Theme Song:- “Kaya Ko” (RPG: Metanioa)
Best Musical Score – Jesse Lasaten (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Sound Recording – (tie) Ditoy Aguila (Super Inday and the Golden Bibe) & Ambient Media (RPG: Metanoia)
Best Child Performer: Xyriel Manabat (Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!)
Best Indie Film: Presa (Adolf Alix)
Gender Sensitive Award: Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na ‘To!
Gender Sensitive Award (special citation for animation): RPG: Metanoia
Best Float: Rosario
Best Dressed: Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado
Faces of the Night: Sen. Bong Revilla and Sam Pinto

Angels do keep there promises

Next time you question your guy’s honesty, watch for these little clues to find out whether or not he’s telling the whole truth.
1) He looks up and to the left

The next time you ask him a sticky question or he wants to explain himself to you, note which way he looks. If his eyes move up to the right, he’s recalling information from his memory. If he looks up and to the left, there’s a good chance that he’s inventing the answer. Take this quiz to see how well you can decode guy-speak.

2) He toys with his ears or his nose.

If your guy starts toying with his ear or nose (and he doesn’t have allergies), be suspicious. When a guy is being deceptive, it’s common for blood to rush to his face. His nose and ears will get warm and begin to itch, causing him to unconsciously rub or scratch them. Read these signs to tell if he’s cheating.

3) He shifts in his chair or taps his fingers

These tics may make it seem like he’s just plain nervous, but if they’re done while he’s explaining himself to you, they actually indicate that he could be fibbing. Want more? Read the body language of liars and you'll be able to catch him in the act.

4) He covers his mouth with his hand.

This guy is probably lying. When he unconsciously obstructs your view of his lips, it’s a sign that he’s trying to block the truth from slipping out. In addition, he might lick his lips and look away from you— directing his eyes down and to the right. These little moves reveal what's bugging him. Plus, read 10 most common fibs guys tell and find out what’s on his mind when he’s totally speechless.

salamat dude:P

Ask me anything

Tomb Raider: Underworld, also known as Tomb Raider 8, is an action-adventure video game developed by Crystal Dynamics, Buzz Monkey Software, and Santa Cruz Games and was published by Eidos Interactive. Crystal Dynamics developed the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions and was released in November 2008. Santa Cruz Games developed the Nintendo DS version and was also released in November. The Wii and PlayStation 2 version was developed by Buzz Monkey Software, although the PS2 version saw a January 2009 release in North America and March 2009 in Europe. Eidos released two new chapters of Tomb Raider: Underworld as exclusive downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace—Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow which was released in February and March 2009 respectively.
It is the eighth game in the Tomb Raider series and resumes the adventure where Tomb Raider: Legend left off and addresses elements of the plot left unexplained in Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary.[9] It is the third game in the series to be developed by Crystal Dynamics and is also the first game to be released on the PlayStation 3.
Underworld received mostly positive reviews for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions. Critics praised the environments, Lara's motion captured movements, story, puzzles, exploration, graphics and the less linear style of gameplay, although some aimed at its "haywire" camera angles and "dodgy" combat system. The PS2 and Wii versions received mostly negative reviews. Most cited them as having poor graphics, being oversimplified and "dumbed" down, and being full of bugs.
As of 27 February 2009, the game has sold 2.6 million copies worldwide. On 25 May 2009 it was announced Tomb Raider: Underworld would be re-released as part of the Xbox Classics and Platinum Range lines for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, respectively


Differences from previous iterations in the series are that Lara's environment reproduces a more "interactive world that reacts and remembers", such that footprints left in the mud or mud transferred to Lara's knee from kneeling on the ground is washed away by rain, the bodies of the foes she encounters remain where she killed them, and any destruction to the environment she causes are permanent.[11] According to creative director Eric Lindstrom, this is "to not only reward the player for the effect they're having on the world, but to give them navigational aids."[12] The game uses an animation blending system that allows Lara to interact dynamically with her environment, such as pushing foliage aside with one or two hands, depending on if she is carrying a weapon.[13] It also features a "hybrid lighting model that combines dynamic lights with carefully created light maps" and a weather system that changes the environment, for example, "If Lara’s negotiating a wet ledge she’s more apt to slip or lose grip," which makes "the environment ... her adversary" for a large part of the game.[11][14]
Previously seen separate aspects of gameplay were combined for a new experience. Lindstrom explained that "in the past, there was climbing, and there was shooting, and there was puzzle solving. And they often didn't overlap. We've now integrated all of those elements."[15] This instalment also features a new melee combat system, requiring Lara in some instances to use "direct combat and evasive manoeuvres to distance herself from her attacker". Notably, Lara's bike, among other things, is a key component in solving the puzzles she will encounter in her adventure.[11] Pick-ups have multiple uses as weapons and tools in interaction with the environment, and Lindstrom stated that Lara "can also split up her guns and fire at two different targets simultaneously,"[12] or hold an item with one hand and fire a gun with the other.[15] The grappling hook can be stretched taut and used to pull objects off ledges unlike in previous iterations, illustrating what project lead Rob Pavey said, that "Lara will be able to do anything that you'd expect her to be able to do," which he called "the big theme this year."[16] Lindstrom describes this as "a philosophy called 'What Could Lara Do?'—WCLD. It's short-hand for having the player be able to use their own intuition about what someone with her abilities should be able to do in an environment such as this, and consistency across the different mechanics and abilities. If she can throw a grenade, then if she can pick up this pole, why can't she throw it?" Crystal Dynamics also aimed to make the game non-linear, unlike Tomb Raider: Legend, and eliminate the need for hint icons that indicate the ability to interact with objects.[12]
The interactive cut scenes from previous titles were replaced with "adrenaline moments". Instead of specific button presses, time slows down and gives the player a chance to get out of harm's way while retaining complete control of Lara.[17]
[edit]Story

[edit]Synopsis
Tomb Raider: Underworld begins where its predecessor left off, with Lara Croft searching for the mythical resting place of King Arthur, Avalon. Underneath the Mediterranean Sea Lara discovers Thor's gauntlet and then has an encounter with an old enemy, Jacqueline Natla, who has been imprisoned by Legend's antagonist, Amanda Evert. Natla tells Lara that the Norse underworld, Helheim and Avalon are one and the same and that she will need to find Thor's Hammer to open the Underworld. Lara soon discovers to find and wield the hammer she will have to find Thor's other gauntlet and his belt, to retrieve these artifacts she must explore underworlds all around the globe, facing the creatures, traps and puzzles that guard them. However, Lara discovers that Helhiem may contain a powerful weapon that could put the world in danger. Lara also finds herself faced with a doppelgänger of herself created by Natla, who burns down her house and kills one of Lara's assistants, Alister Fletcher.
[edit]Characters
Main article: Tomb Raider characters - Tomb Raider: Underworld
Tomb Raider: Underworld, like all others in the series, stars the fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who is voiced by Keeley Hawes. She is the only playable character in the main part of the game. Lara's butler and recurring character, Winston (voiced by Alan Shearman), also reappears during the Croft Manor segment. Lara's assistants, Zip (Alex Désert) and Alister (Greg Ellis) return from Legend, though their contact with Lara is now limited to cut scenes rather than during gameplay. Jacqueline Natla (Grey DeLisle) and Amanda Evert (Kath Soucie) are the game's main villains, reprising their roles from Anniversary and Legend respectively. Greg Ellis also voices the leader of Amanda's mercenaries in the Mediterranean. The game also features the Doppelgänger, a creature created by Natla that is nearly identical to Lara, but with pale skin and red hair. Throughout the main part of the game, she acts as an antagonist serving Natla.[18][19]
Lara, Zip, the Doppelgänger, and Natla reappear in the Xbox 360 downloadable content. The Doppelgänger, who does not speak during the main game, is voiced by Keeley Hawes,[citation needed] and serves as the playable character in Lara's Shadow.
[edit]Setting
Tomb Raider: Underworld is set across several countries. The game begins in the Mediterranean Sea, where the first set of levels are set. There, Lara spends some time swimming among sharks and discovers the Norse underworld of Niflheim where she faces a giant Kraken and takes her on board Amanda's boat. The second set of levels takes place on the west coast of Thailand. There she discovers Bhogavati, a mythical hindu underworld, which Lara finds to be guarded with Nāga, creatures that the hindu religion describes as snake people. The third part of the game takes place in England at Croft Manor. Lara discovers, via clues left by her father, a chapel hidden underneath Croft Manor which leads to Richard Croft's secret study. Lara then must escape her mansion as it burns to the ground. The next group of levels takes place in Southern Mexico. Lara explores ruins in the middle of a jungle, she then explores the mayan underworld of Xibalba, which is guarded by giant spiders and Lara is forced to face zombie like thralls as she goes deeper into the ruins. Lara then travels to Jan Mayen Island to find Thor's Hammer. There she discovers Valhalla. A short segment then takes place in the Andaman Sea where Lara infiltrates The Tisiphone, which is the twin of Amanda's original boat. The final part of the game takes place in the Arctic Sea, where Lara discovers the entrance to Helheim. Upon opening Helheim, Lara discovers the Midgard Serpent.
[edit]Development

[hide]System Requirements
Minimum Recommended
Microsoft Windows[20]
Operating System Windows XP or Windows Vista
CPU Intel Pentium 4 3+GHz or AMD Athlon 2.5+GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Memory 1GB (Windows XP) / 2GB (Windows Vista) 2 GB
Hard Drive Space 8 GB of free space
Graphics Hardware NVIDIA GeForce 6 series 6800GT (or better) / ATI X1800XT (or better) NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX or ATI HD4800
Sound Hardware DirectX 9.0c compliant card
In November 2007, Eidos was reported to have filed for a trademark on the phrase, Tomb Raider Underworld.[21][22][23] and soon after reserved the Tomb Raider Underworld domain name.[24] In December 2007, Eidos filed for a second trademark for Tomb Raider Underworld, reserving the right to provide "computer games that may be accessed network-wide by network users."[25] In the January 2008 issue of the magazine Play, details from the "first-ever demo" of the game were revealed.[11] SCi, which owned Eidos at the time, officially announced Tomb Raider: Underworld on 10 January 2008, and confirmed that all platform versions of the game would be released simultaneously in November 2008.[26]
Play's assertions that the game is the "first true next gen Lara with one big physics smorgasbord that looks altogether photo-real"[11] led to speculation that Tomb Raider: Underworld might be using a new game engine for its next-generation graphics rather than the system used by Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Later, the Senior Producer and External Designer separately confirmed that Underworld uses an all-new engine that was built especially for it.[27][28] This new engine will also be used for upcoming game Deus Ex 3.[29]
Lara's costume was redesigned and she no longer wears her trademark green sleeveless top and khaki shorts, but instead, a dark brown halter top and black shorts. Additionally, her hair is no longer braided, but worn in a ponytail. According to Play, Lara "moves as good as she looks [and] no longer moves like a video game character" due to her being fully motion captured.[11] Olympic gymnast and NCAA Women's Gymnastics champion Heidi Moneymaker was the model used for motion capturing.[15] Lara Croft is said to have over 2,000 animations.[30] Keeley Hawes provided the voice of Lara in this installment,[31] as she did in Anniversary and Legend.[32] Gymnast Alison Carroll was selected as the new official Lara Croft model to promote the game, replacing Karima Adebibe.
The first official video, entitled "Beneath the Surface", was released on 17 July 2008, and featured interviews with members of the development team and showed screenshots, artwork, and several clips of gameplay footage. A teaser trailer was released on 19 July 2008,[33] and the first gameplay trailer was released on 15 August 2008.[34]
[edit]Music
Music info table
Data Info
General mood Journey,
Chased, Relaxation
Main composer Colin O'Malley
Main theme 3 minutes and 30 seconds
In-game score 110 minutes/80 tracks
Average track length 1 minute and 21 seconds
Troels Folmann composed the main theme of the game, and was the music supervisor for Underworld while Colin O'Malley was scoring the bulk of the music. Underworld's music is purely orchestral in style.[35]
There are pieces that do not loop, meaning they will only play one time and will be triggered on specific events. The score is made more of musical fragments, similar to the first five games of the Tomb Raider series, and there is less constant music than in Legend.[35]
The first four seconds of the main theme are the last four notes of the well known seven-notes of the first Tomb Raider game main theme. A similar beginning was already used in another track composed by Troels called "Egypt - Cinematic Mix 2". The end of the main theme gets louder than the beginning by adding choirs and percussion. It then drops into a solo performance of the same four-notes reminiscent of the Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness main theme.
In addition to gameplay music, Underworld's Theatrical Trailer also uses orchestral music. The featured piece is the 3rd movement: Lacrimosa, from Mozart's Requiem in D minor. This particular theme, which is almost the same but the middle part cuted, by Colin O'Malley, is entitled 'Roll Back Destruction', and features a recorded choir.
[edit]Downloadable content
After an agreement with Microsoft, Eidos released two new chapters of Tomb Raider: Underworld as exclusive downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace:[36] Beneath the Ashes on 24 February 2009[37][38] and Lara's Shadow on 10 March 2009.[39] According to an MTV Multiplayer blog post, an Eidos spokesperson has stated that there are no plans to release the content for PlayStation 3 or Microsoft Windows.[40] Following a negative reaction from fans, Eidos released a statement explaining that they were approached by Microsoft, and to confirm "there are no plans for additional downloadable content for PS3".[41]
It was also announced that two new outfits, made by Québec fashion designers, would be available for free download on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The outfits were chosen by jury and public vote on the Festival Arcadia's Virtually Fashionable on 8 November 2008,[42] and released on 10 March 2009.[43]
On 15 December 2008, Eidos announced the release of two classic outfits from past Tomb Raider games ("Classic" and "Legend"), which would be released for free exclusively on the Xbox Live Marketplace.[44] On 30 December 2008, two additional wetsuits for Lara were also released for free on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
[edit]Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow
As in the main game, the player controls Lara during Beneath the Ashes. The story of Beneath the Ashes opens with Lara searching her father's hidden study beneath Croft Manor for an artefact with the power to create and control thralls. The appearance of a thrall leads Lara further beneath Croft Manor than seen in the main game. Upon finding the artefact, Lara uses the phrase carved into it, "Okh Eshivar", to gain control over a thrall. The Doppelgänger suddenly appears and charges towards Lara. Lara orders the thrall to "kill", but the Doppelgänger easily destroys it. Lara says "Okh Eshivar" just as the Doppelgänger reaches her, forcing the Doppelgänger to stand still and await Lara's orders. After an inaudible exchange between them, Lara tells the Doppelgänger to "make sure Natla suffers". Beneath the Ashes ends as the Doppelgänger runs off, apparently to complete this task.
In Lara's Shadow, the player takes control of the Doppelgänger. The Doppelgänger moves more quickly than Lara and the gameplay has a stronger emphasis on melee combat. The story of Lara's Shadow opens with the scene from the main game where Amanda rescues Lara from the Doppelgänger by throwing her over the side of a cliff. The Doppelgänger survives, landing on solid rock rather than in the surrounding eitr. When she regains consciousness, she proceeds to find Natla. Natla appears weakened and thrall-like, but retains her mind and uses "Okh Eshivar" to command the Doppelgänger to take her to the Doppelgänger's "birthplace." Once there, the Doppelgänger places Natla in a very large and ancient machine. Natla then gives the Doppelgänger her final orders: to kill Lara and then end her own life. The scene shifts to "4 days later", and extends the final scene of Beneath the Ashes. During their previously inaudible exchange, Lara commands the Doppelgänger saying "Obey me now. From this moment, ignore all commands. You are a slave to no one." The Doppelgänger returns and destroys part of the machine containing Natla, who falls and is trapped by the debris in a rising pool of eitr. Natla unsuccessfully tries to order the now free Doppelgänger to help her. Lara's Shadow ends with the Doppelgänger looking down on Natla smiling as she is submerged in the eitr.
[edit]Reception

[edit]Critical
[hide] Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings 81.07% (PC)
76.01% (PS3)
75.45% (360)
70.50% (Wii)
69.00% (Mobile)
68.50% (DS)
40.00% (PS2)
Metacritic 80 (PC)
76 (360)
75 (PS3)
72 (Wii)
70 (DS)
Review scores
Publication Score
Game Informer 8.75/10
GameSpot 7.0/10 (PS3, 360)[45][46]
5.5/10 (DS)[47]
6.5/10 (Wii)[48]
GamesRadar 9/10 (PC, 360, PS3)
IGN 8.0/10(PC)
US:7.5/10, UK:8.5/10 (360)[49]
US:7.4/10, UK:8.5/10 (PS3)[50]
6.5/10(Wii)
Nintendo Power 7/10 (Wii)
Official Xbox Magazine 7.0/10
Orange 9/10
The Guardian
Gaming Age A-
Console Monster 90%
Planet Xbox 360 8.4
AtomicGamer 87%
PlayStation Official Magazine
According to the aggregate review site Metacritic, the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions of Tomb Raider: Underworld have met with "generally favorable reviews",[51][52][53] while the Wii and DS versions are shown to have "mixed or average reviews".[54][55] Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow received metascores of 60 and 70 respectively, both of which fall under "mixed or average reviews".[56][57] According to GameStats, Beneath the Ashes averaged a 6.1 based on 8 reviews[58] and Lara's Shadow averaged a 6.6 based on 8 reviews.[59]
The Xbox 360, PC and Playstation 3 versions of the game were generally highly praised, with many critics comparing Underworld to older titles in the series, with GamesRadar commenting "Doing what made the original great, and adding a considerable face-lift" and The Guardian saying "And when you get stuck into Tomb Raider Underworld, it swiftly becomes clear that it is designed to appeal to a generation of gamers – surely now in their 30s – who grew up with Tomb Raider and fell in love with Lara's attributes and attitude."[60][61] In reviews, the environments have been widely praised, many reviewers also praised Lara's motion captured movements and the much less linear style of gameplay, while some criticisms aimed at its "haywire" camera angles and "dodgy" combat system. The game's graphics were also praised, Orange described them as "lush",[60] Lara's appearance and movements received further comment, with the Guardian stating "Lara has never looked or moved better."[61] IGN described the games an enjoyable game for the story, puzzles, exploration and graphics. They went on to praise that quick time events were replaced with adrenaline moments and noted improvements in combat, such as the ability to aim at two enemies at once and new sticky bombs.[62] However, GamesRadar marked the game down for "dodgy combat". The exploration was also highly praised, with Orange describing it as the highlight of the game and GamesRadar urging readers to "go explore Underworld."[60][63] Nintendo Power and GamesRadar also praised the game's platforming elements. Despite mentions of camera issues and weaker combat, critics described it as "as good as Tomb Raider has ever been"[64] and "the Tomb Raider we've been waiting for!"[65]
However, the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions received mostly negative reviews. IGN commented the Wii version "is not a bad game" but went on to say "The whole thing has been oversimplified and dumbed down. The Wii puzzles are a joke, the combat is almost nonexistent, and the game is pretty short."[66] Gamespot added "Tomb Raider Underworld can be an enjoyable adventure, but it’s marred by bugs, camera issues, and ill-conceived Wii extras."[67] While the Playstation 2 version was called "an embarrassment to the franchise" by IGN. They went on to say that the version was such a poor conversion that it shouldn't have even been released, saying "Full of bugs, linear play that discourages exploration and non-existent combat, Tomb Raider Underworld feels as though it's part of the series in name and main character only."[68]
Prior to the game's release, Eidos attempted to prevent any reviews rating the game at less than 8 out of 10 from appearing, with an Eidos spokesman stating "[t]he brand manager in the US that's handling all of Tomb Raider has asked that we just manage the scores before the game is out, really, just to ensure that we don't put people off buying the game, basically."[69]
Tomb Raider: Underworld received a BAFTA nomination in 2009.[70] For Underworld's story, Eric Lindstrom and Toby Gard received a nomination for the WGA’s Videogame Writing Award.[71]
[edit]Sales
On 9 January 2009, Eidos announced that Tomb Raider: Underworld sales failed to meet expectations, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide as of 31 December 2008.[72][73][74] However, on 27 February 2009, Eidos announced that the game had sold around 2.6 million copies worldwide, outselling the previous two titles in the series.[75] Also, on 8 May 2009, Ian Livingstone, President of Eidos Interactive, said "Underworld has met our target expectations".[76] In September 2009 Tomb Raider: Underworld was released as part of both the Xbox 360 Classics range and PlayStation 3 Platinum range.
[edit]Sequel

After the takeover of Eidos by Square Enix, there is reportedly a ninth game planned in the series. The game is also reported to contain multiplayer as a Crystal Dynamics representative said "We are looking for developers who are able to effectively create and lead the multiplayer vision and design effort."[77] The series is going to be reinvigorated once more, in the same way that Tomb Raider Legend did.[78]
In an interview with GamingIndians.com, Ian Livingstone, Life President of Eidos Interactive, announced that the next Tomb Raider was currently in the works. Livingstone stated "I think [it] will surprise a lot of people and reinvigorate the franchise." On 4 March 2010 tombraiderchronicles.com released an official press statement by Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics that named a new game due out in 2010 called Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. This is the first title in the series not to bear the name 'Tomb Raider' and is, at the moment, a download-only game. The omission of the "Tomb Raider" branding was said to separate Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light from the "pillar" Tomb Raider games, which are also still being produced. The game was shown behind closed doors at the Game Developers Conference on 9 March 2010.

You fear, sometimes, I do not love you so much as you wish?
My dear Girl I love you ever and ever and without reserve.
The more I have known you the more have I lov'd. In every way - even my jealousies have been agonies of Love, in the hottest fit I ever had I would have died for you.

I have vex'd you too much. But for Love! Can I help it?
You are always new. The last of your kisses was ever the sweetest; the last smile the brightest; the last movement the gracefullest. When you pass'd my window home yesterday, I was fill'd with as much admiration as if I had then seen you for the first time. You uttered a half complaint once that I only lov'd your Beauty.

Have I nothing else then to love in you but that?
Do not I see a heart naturally furnish'd with wings imprison itself with me?
No ill prospect has been able to turn your thoughts a moment from me.
This perhaps should be as much a subject of sorrow as joy - but I will not talk of that.
Even if you did not love me I could not help an entire devotion to you: how much more deeply then must I feel for you knowing you love me. My Mind has been the most discontented and restless one that ever was put into a body too small for it.

I never felt my Mind repose upon anything with complete and undistracted enjoyment - upon no person but you. When you are in the room my thoughts never fly out of window: you always concentrate my whole senses. The anxiety shown about our Love in your last note is an immense pleasure to me; however you must not suffer such speculations to molest you any more: not will I any more believe you can have the least pique against me.

I once took a girl out on a first date not realizing it happened to be Valentine’s Day. As we settled into our pink and red doily-covered table and looked over the heart-shaped menus, I was ready to die. But she was so cool about the whole thing, and went out of her way to make me feel OK about it, that I fell for her before the “I’m So in Love With You Ribeye for Two” arrived. Whether a man loves dating or hates it, we all agree: It’s like a high-wire act. Sometimes you slip, plummet, and crash. Other times, she catches you. And when she does, you know she’s a keeper.

More Glamour:

* Five Secrets All Guys Keep From You
* 12 Secret Signs He’s Into You

“I was really into my coworker. Even though she’d smile at me if our eyes met in a meeting, I was afraid to ask her out. What if she was just being friendly? After I spent three months kicking myself for not doing anything, she invited me to a dinner date. It was awesome. A woman can’t rely on a guy always picking up on her hints, so go ahead and initiate things…please!” - Deepak, 34, Orange, Conn.”I know offering to drive is the gentlemanly thing to do, but when my now girlfriend got behind the wheel on our second date, it took the pressure off me to be so responsible for the night. I could kick back and relax.” - Jeremy, 35, Atlanta”The wallet reach is a tricky moment on any first date. You know she’s not going to pay, she knows she’s not going to pay, so should she even bother pretending she will? By all means, yes! One of the best parts of my last date was the sweet way she grabbed for her bag when the check came. I got to feel manly (‘No, no, I’ve got it!’), and I appreciated that she didn’t expect everything to be given to her just because she’s pretty.” - David, 32, Baltimore”I love hearing a woman talk passionately about something, whether it’s world peace or her favorite television show or her mother’s lasagna. Seeing what’s special to her shows me what’s special about her.” - Ryan, 29, Tacoma, Wash.

The Things You Do When You’re in It for the Long Run
I’m sure I’m not the first guy to have a girl write him an amazing letter, or help him pick out fancy jeans, or dispense good advice about his thorny work issue. In fact, I bet this happens all the time. But when you are the guy in the story, and the girl is someone you still can’t believe even remembers your name, well then, you never want to let go.”In the past, as long as a woman had a decent stash of menus at her house, I was good. But my new girlfriend cooks these dishes that satisfy so much more than my appetite — they take time and are from the heart. It’s really special.” - Jacob, 22, New York City”The best words my wife can say? ‘Hey, I have a great night planned. Put on something nice and let’s go!’ With two careers and kids, we don’t have lots of chances to be spontaneous, so it matters a lot to me when we are.” - Kamel, 35, Georgetown, S.C.”I was complaining about not having dumbbells at home when my girlfriend said, ‘Too bad you can’t lift yourself… you know, because you’re a dumbbell,’ and went into hysterics. It was totally corny, but I couldn’t help laughing at her laughing at her own joke. I love how much she amuses herself.” - Jim, 34, Philadelphia”My fiancee waits until I’ve had a chance to unwind from the office before bringing up some (admittedly) inconsiderate thing I did during the day. Is it fair that she has to keep her anger in check? Definitely not, but that 30-minute time-out is the difference between us talking to each other or screaming like maniacs. It’s made our relationship a zillion times better.” - Christian, 37, Bedford, N.Y.”It’s great when a woman gets comfortable enough in the relationship to call me out for being ridiculous with a friendly but sarcastic ‘Really, Tim?’ The challenge is stimulating.” - Tim, 27, Boston”My wife works from home and often wears pajamas all day. But sometimes I’ll get home and she’s dressed up just to have dinner with me. I love that even though she sees me every day, she doesn’t take me or our time together for granted.” - Chris, 35, Chicago”I found out I had to relocate for work. My girlfriend said, ‘I’m flexible. If you go, I’ll go.’ That such a thing would cross her mind blew me away. I felt important and wanted, like I was a real equal in our relationship.” - Dave, 28, Beach Haven, N.J.

5 Times When You’re Alluring and Have No Idea
“Who knows what my girlfriend uses in the shower, but when she comes out, she smells intoxicating.” - Jordan, 27, Los Angeles”My girl holds a hair tie in her mouth as she pulls up her hair. That kind of multitasking is irresistible to me for some reason.” - William, 31, Ann Arbor, Mich.”My wife beats me in Jeopardy every night and I find that ridiculously attractive — and, yeah, a little embarrassing.” - Patrick, 31, Detroit”My wife will occasionally wear this old college T-shirt of mine to bed, and seeing her in it instantly brings me back to when we met and fell in love.” - Kevin, 29, Hartford, Conn.”My girlfriend thinks she’s a mess when she gets back from the gym, but it’s a sensual mess (and I mean that in the best way possible!). Seeing her in just a sports bra and running shorts — with no makeup on and her hair pulled back — drives me crazy.” - Scott, 32, Orlando, Fla.

MANILA, Philippines, May 10 (UPI) -- Millions of Filipinos, using a new automated system, voted Monday to pick a new president in an election marred by some acts of violence.

Voting time was extended by 1 hour because of system delays and long lines.

The BBC reported as many as 85 percent of the 55 million eligible voters were expected to cast their ballots.

Nine candidates vied for president. Citizens also voted to pick thousands of national and local leaders. Amnesty International had said pre-election violence claimed a number of lives, and condemned the use of private armies by candidates.

The front-runners in the presidential contest were Sen. Benigno Aquino III and former President Joseph Estrada, CNN reported. Aquino, is the son of the late Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon Aquino.

Despite the voting delays, The New York Times reported results were still expected to be announced in the next two days.

Kontra Daya, an election watchdog, reported counting machines broke down in nearly a dozen precincts in the capital, the report said. There were also complaints of voter lists missing and vote-buying.

In the violence-plagued southern region of Mindanao, there were reports of more violence and disorderly conduct, the report said.

Gunbattles and bombings were reported in the region's Maguindanao area, which became notorious late last year when 57 people were massacred in the country's worst incident of political violence.

The Times report said voting was suspended in the southern town of Kabuntalan following the deaths of two people in gunbattles.

A day prior to the election, five people died in separate election-related incidents.

Besides the presidential vote, candidates were contesting for some 18,000 local, regional and national posts, the Times said.

PICS of our election

Most episodes are self-contained short stories in which the series narrates the suffering of a different individual caused by one or more antagonists. In general during each arc, the protagonists' dramas are explained in detail from the start of their grudges, through the escalation of their torment until it becomes unbearable and they resort to accessing the Hell Correspondence website. Although in general, the client gives the antagonist a chance, he or she usually ends up pulling the string on his or her doll and sending the antagonist to hell. Once they have pulled the string, before taking the antagonist to hell, Ai Enma punishes the person for his or her sins with the help of her companions.

In the first season, the story soon follows a journalist named Shibata Hajime, a former blackmailer, and his daughter Tsugumi who shares a strange connection with the Hell Girl as they investigate the truth behind the Hell Girl. In the second season, a mysterious young girl from Hell, named Kikuri who is able to travel freely between Earth and the Twilight realm where Ai resides, is introduced. Later, the plot centers around Takuma Kurebayashi, a boy who is blamed by his townsfolk for causing disappearances around the town that are in reality caused by the townsfolk using the Hell Correspondence. In the third season, some time after Ai's death, Kikuri returns to recruit Ai's assistants along with a yōkai named Yamawaro, who accepts an old offer from Ai to become her fourth assistant. The story follows Ai's mysterious revival from death and subsequent inhabitation of the body of a young schoolgirl, Yuzuki Mikage.
[edit] Hell Correspondence

The medium through which a client contacts Ai Enma has changed over the centuries. Initially clients would write the names of whom they hated on an ema, which later changed to sending a letter to the address appearing in a three-column newspaper advertisement only visible to those with enough hatred. Once the internet became available, people could access the Hell Correspondence website, otherwise known as the "Hotline to Hell". Soon after, the site was adapted into a mobile version that could be accessed from cell phones.[4]

Each medium can only be used at midnight by one who harbors a desire for revenge against their object of hatred. Should someone submit the name of someone against whom they bear a grudge or immense hatred, and their request is accepted, Ai Enma will take them to a realm of perpetual twilight where she offers them a straw doll, one of her companions, with a red string wound around its neck and describe to the client the details of their contract; should the client pull the string tied around the doll's neck, she will ferry the target of the revenge straightaway to Hell. However, once the client's life has ended, he or she too will go to Hell, and a black crest-shaped mark appears on the client's chest to serve as a permanent reminder of this and their decision to send someone to Hell. However, this mark is no guarantee that the person themselves won't be sent to hell by another client...
[edit] Characters

Chapter 4
Summary
Problem:
The study subjects to determine the relationship between numbers of years in service and the
level of critical thinking and confidence in decision making of registered nurses.
More specifically, this study subjects to answer the following questions:
1. What is the (characteristic) profile respondents in terms of the number of years in service as registered nurse
2. What is the level of critical thinking and confidence in decision making of the respondents
3. Is there a significant relationship between the profile of respondents in terms of number of years and the level of critical thinking and confidence in decision making as registered nurse?
Null hypothesis:
This study advance that there is no significant relationship between the profile of respondents in the number of years in service and the level of critical thinking and confidence of their decision making as registered nurse.


Data Gathering: A letter of request signed by the dean was sent to each respective hospitals
During the formal gathering procedure, another letter was given to the respondents asking for their consent singed and noted by the chief of hospital whether or not they are willing to subject themselves as the respondents for this study. Enclosed with the letter were standardized questionnaire for the respondent to answer.
Statistical treatment:
The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient is the most widely used measure of correlation or association. It is named after Karl Pearson who developed the co relational method to do research. The product moment part of the name comes from the way in which it is calculated, by summing up the products of the deviations of the scores from the mean. In the study of relationships, two variables are said to be correlated if change in one variable is accompanied by change in the other – either in the same or reverse direction.
Findings:
As shown on the tables, it can be gleaned that the computed r-values of 0.246 and 0.261are described low correlation, present but slight positive relationships. These results mean that the length of service of respondents had a slight bearing on contribution to their critical thinking and confidence on their decision making.
Based on the study conducted it was found out that there is no significant relationship between the length of service, classified as novice and expert, and their critical thinking and confidence on decision making. Therefore we conclude that Critical thinking on confidence in decision making is not dependent on the number of years in service. It shows that even novices can be exhibit confidence in decision making in carrying out nursing orders

TEENAGE PREGNANCY
Each year in the U.S. almost one million teenagers become pregnant--at enormous costs to themselves, their children, and society. While the facts are clear, the issues of teenage pregnancy are complicated by our conflicting attitudes and behaviors. Talk of sex fills the airwaves; younger and younger girls are portrayed as sex objects; and sex is used to sell everything from clothing to news. Yet we are shocked at the rising numbers of teens who are sexually active. If we are truly concerned about the welfare of babies, children and adolescents, we must move beyond the moral panic and denial that so often distort the discussion. Designing effective solutions will require the thoughtful separation of fact, assumption and wishful thinking and an honest acknowledgment that much is still not fully understood about the causes of teenage pregnancy.



CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Cause or Effect? The burdens of early childbearing on disadvantaged teens are undeniable. Trying to untangle the factors which contribute to teenage pregnancy from its effects, however, leads to a "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" dilemma. Educational failure, poverty, unemployment and low self-esteem are understood to be negative outcomes of early childbearing. These circumstances also contribute to the likelihood of teen pregnancy. For example, recent studies suggest that most adolescent mothers have already dropped out of school before they become pregnant. On the other hand, adolescents still enrolled in school when they give birth are as likely to graduate as their peers. It is not clear how well the adolescents with the most problems would have fared in the future even without early parenthood.

Trends in nonmarital childbearing. It may surprise some to learn that the teen birth rate was 50% higher in 1957 than it is now. Today's widespread concern over teenage pregnancy may have less to do with actual numbers and more to do with the growing percentage of teen mothers who are unmarried. Teens who have babies outside of marriage fit within a broader nationwide trend--unmarried women of all ages are having babies in increasing numbers. Births to single teens actually account for a smaller percentage of all nonmarital births than twenty years ago.

Economic forces. In the 1950s when men with little education could find well-paid jobs, young people married if a pregnancy occurred. The loss of those jobs makes marriage less attractive today--an effect that can be seen on teens of all races. In 1955, for example, only 6% of white teenage childbearing occurred outside of marriage; today it is 42%. Economics may also be responsible for the lower percentage of poor adolescents who terminate their pregnancies, since Medicaid policies in most states do not pay for abortions, but do pay for services related to childbirth.

Motivation. The Alan Guttmacher Institute states that "while sexual activity among teenagers of all income levels is now common, having a baby is not. Adolescent childbearing is heavily concentrated among poor and low-income teenagers, most of whom are unmarried." While low-income youths may not intend to have a baby, they may not be sufficiently motivated to avoid pregnancy. Without a prize beckoning from the future--a good job, financial independence and marriage--young people from low income backgrounds may have little incentive to delay childbearing.

Mixed Messages. The American popular culture glorifies sex and ignores responsibility. Beginning in early childhood, young people are bombarded with sexual messages. At the same time, puritanical attitudes restrict the availability of resources and frank discussions about sex. Other Western nations with similar levels of adolescent sexual activity have much lower rates of adolescent pregnancy than the U.S. In countries with straightforward attitudes about sex, teens get more consistent messages, clearer information and greater access to contraception and abortion.

Risk Factors. Although it is not inevitable, some life circumstances place girls at higher risk of becoming teen mothers. These include poverty, poor school performance, growing up in a single parent household, having a mother who was an adolescent mother, or having a sister who has become pregnant.

Sexual Abuse and Coercion. A high percentage of girls who have sex before age 15 have been victims of incest or other sexual abuse. Further, half of the fathers of babies born to women aged 15-17 are 20 years of age or older; in one fifth of the cases, they are at least six years older. In the past this behavior would have carried severe social sanctions. Today, few men are prosecuted for having sexual relations with a minor, even though it is still against the law.

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

All teenagers need encouragement to postpone sexual involvement and information on pregnancy prevention if they become sexually active. But these components are not enough by themselves to make a significant impact on the reduction of pregnant and parenting teens. The issues of adolescent pregnancy are too complex for simple solutions. The Children's Defense Fund emphasizes that young people need both "the motivation and the capacity to avoid too-early pregnancy and parenting." Further, young people are not a homogenous group, so solutions must be sensitive to individual and group differences. The most successful programs are ongoing and comprehensive. They combine several strategies which focus on helping kids succeed. Boys and girls who do well in school, participate in nonacademic activities, and plan for their future are less likely to become pregnant or bear a child during their teenage years. A wide range of interventions aimed at youth is also insufficient, however, if we do not address the larger overriding issues of poverty, racism and media messages that contribute to the complexity of the problem.

Multilevel approach. While the sexual experiences of youth differ greatly, the fact remains that most will become sexually active during their adolescent years, and many will become pregnant or father a child. Consequently, the goals for programs addressing teenage pregnancy must be threefold: first, directed at delaying the initiation of sexual intercourse; second, directed at preventing pregnancy for youth who are sexually active; and third, directed at ensuring the well-being of young people who do become parents, including the avoidance of additional pregnancies.

Sexuality education. While some have voiced concern that sex education increases sexual activity, studies show that this is not the case. In fact, effective sex education programs can decrease sexual activity and increase contraceptive use among those already sexually active. Successful programs have a number of similar components. They maintain a narrow focus on reducing specific sexual risk-taking behaviors; they provide accurate information about sexuality; they build interpersonal and communication skills to resist sexual pressures; they address both social and media influences on sexual behaviors; they reinforce individual values and group norms linked to responsible behavior and decision-making; and finally, they involve students in the learning process through small group discussions, role-playing, interviewing parents, and other activities. Many programs have also involved older teens as role models.

Access to childbearing alternatives. Teenagers-both males and females-who are sexually active need easy access to contraceptives and confidential family planning services. Young women who are poor or low-income also need the same opportunities as their more advantaged peers to terminate a pregnancy if they decide that they are not capable of bearing and raising a child.

Not for girls only. Too often, adolescent pregnancy is viewed as a problem having to do exclusively with teenage girls. Overlooked are the teenage boys and men who share equally in this responsibility. Their need for pregnancy prevention information and services is no less important.

Clear, consistent messages. Young people need to hear strong and consistent messages about responsible sexual behavior. Certainly parents--through discussion and example--carry the primary responsibility for guiding their children, and they should be supported in doing so. But the larger community, and especially the media, must regularly reinforce parents with complementary rather than contradictory messages.

Future prospects. Positive life options give teens hope for the future and the motivation to avoid early childbearing. Students need the skills and advanced training that will enhance their prospects for employment. They also need assurance that further education and/or meaningful employment will be available to them. Schools and businesses can play a crucial role in making this happen.

Nonacademic opportunities for success. When children are isolated from their peers, lack positive adult role models or experience few successes, they are at-risk of slipping into problem behaviors. Communities must ensure that children have access not only to nurturing adults, but also to a broad spectrum of programs, activities, and service opportunities that can build self-confidence, bolster self-esteem, and forge positive connections.

Family support and parenting programs. Current studies show that when fathers are involved in the physical care of their children before the age of three, they are less likely to sexually abuse their own or any other child in the future. To break the cycle of sexual abuse which often leads to teenage pregnancy, intensive family support programs, such as Healthy Families, are needed to teach fathers about parenting and help them connect with their children from birth.

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TEENAGE PREGNANCY: THE FACTS

Teenage sexual activity:

56% of young women and 73% of young men today have had intercourse by age 18, compared with 35% of young women and 55% of young men in the early 1970s. One in 5 youth do not have intercourse before the age of 20. (1)

Most of the increase in teen women having intercourse in the 1980s was among white teens and those in higher-income families. (2)

The fathers of babies born to teenage mothers are likely to be older than the women: Half of the fathers of babies born to women aged 15-17 are 20 years of age or older. About one in 5 of all teenage mothers had a partner six or more years older. (1)

Some 74% of women who had intercourse before age 14 and 60% of those who had sex before age 15 report having had sex involuntarily. (3)

Teenage pregnancy and birth:

Each year, nearly one million teenagers in the U.S.-approximately 10 percent of all 15- to 19-year-old females-become pregnant. About one third of these teens abort their pregnancies, 14% miscarry, and 52% bear children, 72% of them out of wedlock. (4) More than 9 in 10 teens who give birth keep their babies; few place their babies for adoption. (5)

More than 40 percent of women in the U.S. become pregnant before they reach 20 years of age. (5)

6 in 10 teen pregnancies occur among 18- to 19-year-olds. (1)

U.S. teenagers have one of the highest pregnancy rates in the Western world-twice as high as rates found in England, France and Canada, three times as high as that in Sweden; and seven times as high as the Dutch rate. (5)

One in every eight births in the U.S. is to a teenager; one in five among African Americans. (6 ) However, white teenagers (under age 20) account for about 68% of all adolescent births and 52% of births to unmarried mothers. Only 16% of adolescent mothers are unmarried black or Hispanic teens under 18. (7)

Cost:

In 1992 the Federal government spent more than $34 billion on welfare for families begun by teenagers, up from $16.6 billion in 1985.6 In 1995, Indiana spent $7.4 million in Aid to Dependent Children for approximately 2,700 teen parents. (8)

For every federal dollar spent on giving contraceptives to low-income women the government saves more than $4 in welfare payments, medical costs, etc. (6)

Of all the women aged 15-44 who received welfare or AFDC in 1993, over half (55%) became mothers when they were teenagers. Only 5% were currently teenage mothers; of these, 83% were aged 18-19. (1)

Unmarried childbearing:

In early 1980s more than half of all births to adolescents occurred outside marriage, compared with only about one-third in 1970. (9)

Only 34% of men 20 -29 years old were married in 1993, compared with 58% in 1973. (10)

Contraception:

Sexually active teenagers are more likely than any other age group to be nonusers of contraception--one in five currently use no method of contraception. (2) A sexually active teenager who doesn't use contraception has a 90% chance of pregnancy within one year. (1)

Outcomes:

The children of teenage mothers are at greater risk of lower intellectual and academic achievement, health complicatoins, social behavior problems and problems of self-control than are children of older mothers, primarily due to the effects of single parenthood, lower maternal education, and large family size. (9)

Seven in 10 teen mothers complete high school or eventually earn a G.E.D., but they are less likely than women who delay childbearing to go on to college. (3)

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References:

(1 ) "Facts in Brief: Teen Sex and Pregnancy," The Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1996.

(2) "Sexual and Contraceptive Behavior Among U.S. Teens," Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. 1993.

(3) Sex and America's Teenagers, The Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1994.

(4) Kids Having Kids, Robin Hood Foundation, 1996.

(5) "Pregnancy and Childbearing Among U.S. Teens," Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., 1993.

(6) "Babies Born Into Peril," Chicago Tribune, 22 May 1994.

(7) Rhode, Deborah and Annette Lawson, Eds., The Politics of Pregnancy, 1993.

(8) Healthy Babies Project, Memorial Hospital of South Bend

(9) Hayes, Cheryl, Risking the Future, 1987.

(10) The State of America's Children, Children's Defense Fund, 1996.



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©1996 by Sue Christensen and Ann Rosen, The Family Connection of St. Joseph County, Inc. This briefing paper was developed for Memorial Health System, South Bend IN, for use in conjunction with a forumon teenage pregnancy, fatherhood, and black infant mortality. It may be copied in part or in whole to further advance the understanding of teenage pregnancy and to promote the implementation of successful strategies, providing credit is given to the authors, The Family Connection of St. Joseph County, Inc. and to Memorial Health System, South Bend, as sponsosr.

HAPPY birthday!

Well, i don't see the logic behind rushing noynoy aquino to grab the position. I do agree with him that everything needs to be well planned. In fact, it reflects the ideal way of taking responsibilities. Well i can say the scene is much alike when you grasp a handful of sand unto your hands. You notice that most of it are set lose, letting some of it spill off your posession. The same with the current issue. It may seem to be easy to say that running for presidency will definitely make a new hope out of our sinking nation but the question will be how much of it can that leader could hold? How much devotion can he or she lend so that wasting will be avoided. How much effort can he or she sacrifice for a dream of a better nation that had lingered through the veins of every filipino people all this time.Well ,it is something to be reflected at. IN summary, i totally want NOYNOY to become a leader, a leader that think and reflect for what he believes is best for his country. He already started it. Saludo po ako sayo senator aquino:) Hope you'll be an instrument of change. LET's support him!

Today seems to be boring. Not that much work to do. All i did the whole afternoon was sleeping and playing kung fu wars. huhuhu. I need to search for my discussion tomorrow:(. Today was a sad day too, when one of our patients dies at the ward. Surely, i got carried out of the scenario but i think that borders the definition of life.