Welcome to the Kingdom of Doodsdpogi

“Hello John, My friends and I absolutely enjoyed your truly informative and fun museum tour last 07 June! One of them is leaving the country soon after her two years' stay and she will be doing so with a much deeper understanding of the Philippines and its people. Thank you very much for taking the time to conduct these tours for our country and its heritage, and for having shared it with us as well. Carole Lee”. (FYI, DUE TO DEMAND, More tour dates added: August 23, 27, 30, and 31st and September 6, 10, 13, 14, 17, 24, and 27th, 2008) If you haven't been on a tour of the National Museum, well, here's your chance. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the museums are (the former Finance Building and the former Legislative Building) with its extensive renovation inside yet keeping with its neo-Federal Style architecture outside. There are fifteen galleries in the Museum of the Filipino people (formerly the Finance Building) to explore our archaeological past an...

By Veronica Uy of INQUIRER.net MANILA , Philippines -- Thailand , the current head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is holding a regional competition to select a composition as the ASEAN Anthem for the 14th ASEAN Summit in December 2008. The contest is open to all citizens of any ASEAN member-state, whose ASEAN national secretariat will receive all entries. The winning composition will receive $20,000. Aiming to create a sense of ASEAN identity, community, closeness, and belongingness among the region's half a billion population, the song must follow these criteria: it must be original, in English, not more than one minute in length, and should reflect the dignity of a regional song, the region's "cooperation, solidarity, and whenever possible, ASEAN's diverse culture and religion." Entries should be sent with score and sheet music (note and lyrics) with voice and musical instruments (preferably piano) recording submitted on CD. Deadline of submiss...

Great Philippine Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax) by Karla Maquiling There’s no better timing for the fourth Philippine Bird Festival than this September, which marks the start of the annual winter migration of birds from mainland China and Japan to tropical countries such as the Philippines. As birds seek warmer climes, birdwatching hobbyists, conservationists, and eco tourism promoters flock to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, which, with its diverse birdlife and pristine forests, fits the theme “Aba, Kakaiba!” to a tee. The festival, which opens at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum on September 12 with an exhibit of rarely seen photos of Philippine birds, displays, lectures, films, and art activities for children, aims to encourage Filipinos to pursue eco-friendly recreational activities such as birdwatching and bird photography. Birdwatching, says Department of Tourism secretary Ace Durano, will “open up unestablished destinations to the world.” Th...

Yeah, we might get slightly embarrassed at times by the pungent odor that lingers in the dorm, apartment or condo hallway every time we make it. But for many of us, it's a big part of what it means to be Pinoy. It's THE Filipino comfort food. It may even be why God created rice -- and Pinoys! A unique melange of taste, it's also a perfect showcase for Filipino versatility: Adobo chicken, adobo pork, adobo squid, adobo eggplant, vegetarian adobo, duck adobo... (I'm starting to sound like a Pinoy Forrest Gump) And if you're in the greater Chicago area after Labor Day and looking to close summer with old friends and new, come out and join us in this celebration of all things adobo! Taste and vote for your favorite adobo recipes and presentation -- and help us crown the inaugural Chicago AdoboFest Champ! We'll also have Pinoy games and live performances for kids of all ages. So mark your calendars (SEPTEMBER 6), and check out our Facebook Event page at http://w...

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go." When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this. Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may need This day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity, and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

THE POEM I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So! I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees. My Christian duty was now done My soul could rest at ease..... All day long I had no time To spread a word of cheer No time to speak of Christ to friends, They'd laugh at me I'd fear. No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry, No time to give to souls in need But at last the time, the time to die. I went before the Lord , I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life. God looked into his book and said "Your name I cannot find. I once was going to write it down... But never found the time"