Super Typhoon Chedeng (UPDATE)

The image was taken by NASA's Aqua satellite.

Two other satellites co-managed by NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency found heavy rainfall and high thunderstorms in the super typhoon.

One storm in the cyclone's western side reached heights close to 16 kilometers on Tuesday, NASA said.

The eye of the super typhoon measured almost 28 kilometers wide.

Aside from strong winds, Chedeng is carrying heavy rainfall near its center in excess of 50 mm per hour, according to NASA data.

State weather bureau PAGASA on late Tuesday night said Chedeng is now packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 240kph.

The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) forecasts Chedeng to peak at 287 kph before weakening.

The JTWC's latest track expects Chedeng to make landfall in Aurora province on Sunday and exit the Philippines through Pangasinan

LET Board Exam Results March 2015

LET was conducted on Sunday, March 29, 2015 in the following test centers nationwide: Manila (NCR), Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Catarman, Jolo Sulu, Bongao Tawi-tawi, Catanduanes, San Jose, Antique and Zamboanga. Those awaiting results of March 2015 licensure exam for teachers (LET) or teachers board exam may find here the complete list, top 10 (topnotchers), top performing school and performance of schools as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Professional Teachers (BPT) released official results expected around May 2015 or within 27-36 working days after the exam.

The BPT is composed of Dr. Rosita L. Navarro, Chairman; Dr. Paz I. Lucido, Dr. Paraluman R. Giron and Dr. Nora M. Uy, Members.

Super Typhoon INTERNATIONAL NAME “MAYSAK”

A typhoon approaching the Philippines intensified further Tuesday morning but is still not expected to immediately affect the country until the weekend.

State weather agency PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m., Maysak was some 1,820 km east of Northern Mindanao.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Maysak packed maximum winds of 175 kph and gustiness of 210 kph and is forecast to move west-northwest at 20 kph.

"This typhoon is still too far to affect any part of the country. It is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (Wednesday) evening or Thursday early morning and will be named Chedeng," it said.

Once it is inside the PAR, it will be locally codenamed Chedeng.

Super Typhoon Maysak, one of the strongest cyclones in history during the months of January, February and March, has already slammed several Micronesian islands on its way to the Philippines.

Maysak will continue to strengthen during the next 12-24 hours as it moves westward across the Pacific Ocean. Though passing to the north of Yap, flooding rain and significant damaging winds will still be possible.

Maysak first developed into a tropical storm on Friday while located across Micronesia, southeast of Guam. The storm has continued strengthening since and will remain a large and dangerous typhoon as it tracks westward toward the Philippines this week.

Beijing’s plan to deploy military garrison in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said the country has filed a protest over China’s reported plan to deploy a military garrison on a group of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

“The Philippine government has expressed its grave concern and registered its strong protest over the Chinese government decision to establish a military garrison on Woody Reef,” Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesman, said in an interview with reporters.

DFA’s move came a day after Beijing announced it would establish a military garrison on a group of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, which will most likely provoke further tensions with its neighbors.

The troops will operate from Sansha in the Paracel Islands, one of two archipelagos in the West Philippine Sea that are claimed by both China and Vietnam.

Presidential State of the Nation Address 2012 (SONA)

FULL TRANSCRIPT:

State of the Nation Address
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
To the Congress of the Philippines

[Delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 23, 2012]

Maraming salamat po. Maupo ho tayong lahat.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kagawad ng kalipunang diplomatiko; mga kagalang-galang na miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga pinuno ng pamahalaang lokal; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa kong nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan; at, siyempre, sa akin pong mga boss, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

Ito po ang aking ikatlong SONA, at parang kailan lang nang nagsimula tayong mangarap. Parang kailan lang nang sabay-sabay tayong nagpasyang tahakin ang tuwid na daan. Parang kailan lang nang sinimulan nating iwaksi ang wang-wang, hindi lamang sa kalsada kundi sa sistemang panlipunan.

US at Syria

The U.S. military has completed its own planning for how American troops would conduct a variety of operations against Syria, or to assist neighboring countries in the event action was ordered, officials tell CNN.

In recent weeks, the Pentagon has finalized its assessment of what types of units would be needed, how many troops, and even the cost of certain potential operations, officials tell CNN.

Multiple military officials say initial planning is complete with a full understanding of what types of troops and units would be needed. This has been done so that if President Obama were to ask for options the military would be ready to present them. But officials say additional detailed work would have to be done before forces could be deployed.

The planning comes as the U.S. has become increasingly concerned that the violence in Syria is verging on civil war. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the recent series of bombings have heightened the worry.

UPDATE: Death toll from Indonesian volcano now at 56

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia – The death toll from Indonesia's fiery volcano has climbed to 56 after a blistering gas cloud ripped through a mountainside village.

Rescuers say at least 12 people were killed in the inferno and 50 others were hospitalized with injuries.

Men with ash-covered faces streamed down Mount Merapi on motorcycles followed by truckloads of women and crying children, following the massive eruption just before midnight Friday.

Waluyo Raharjo, a search and rescue official, said the bodies from the hard-hit village of Bronggang, located 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the crater, were being taken to a hospital morgue.

Kenny Chesney to return to Ford Field

Kenny Chesney is headed back to the cozy confines of Ford Field, where he’s sold out four straight appearances.

The megastar country artist announced 9-date Goin’ Coastal stadium tour on Thursday, including an Aug. 20 visit to Ford Field. In an era where stadium shows are increasingly rare, Chesney managed sellouts at the Lions’ home field in 2006 through 2009. 

Joining Chesney on the bill are Zac Brown Band, Billy Currington and metro Detroit’s Uncle Kracker, a longtime collaborator of Chesney’s. The event will again include a Beach Bash party on Brush Street in front of Ford Field. Running from 1-4 p.m. before the concert, it will include live entertainment, games and other activities.
Tickets to the concert ($28.50-$129.50 ) go on sale Dec. 4 through Ticketmaster. There will be presales at www.kennychesney.com.

Powerball Numbers Now Have $123 Million

The Powerball numbers have played second fiddle lately. Yet the Powerball numbers are now worth a considerable amount, while Mega Millions is back to square
 one. Last week, Mega Millions finally gave away $140 million, leaving its rival lottery game to take the spotlight for a while. After last night's drawing, it may now have an even bigger jackpot to give away shortly. Since no one hit the Powerball numbers last night, $123 million is now at stake for Saturday night.


Once Mega Millions finally ended its month-long drought of winners last week, Powerball's drought finally took center stage. Since no one hit last Saturday, last night's drawing officially crossed the $100+ million milestone, and will now climb even higher.

Indonesian volcano spews hot ash

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia – Towering clouds of hot ash gushed from the mouth of a deadly Indonesian volcano Thursday, hours after its most explosive eruption in a deadly week sent more villagers fleeing and killed three more people.

At least 44 people have died since Mount Merapi started erupting Oct. 26, most of the victims on the first day or in the chaotic evacuations. Three died in the powerful Wednesday blast, Eka Saputra, who works at the National Disaster Management Agency, said Thursday.

Scientists — shaking their heads as they watched the wide, fast sweeps of a needle on a seismograph — worried that the worst might be yet to come.

Qantas grounds Airbus fleet after mid-flight engine scare

Qantas, Australia's national airline, grounded its Airbus A380 fleet indefinitely after part of a plane's engine cover fell off mid-flight on Thursday.

The airline said the twin-deck planes -- the world's largest airliners -- will remain suspended until an investigation into Thursday's incident is complete.

"As long as it takes," said airline CEO Alan Joyce, when a reporter asked him how long the suspension will last. "We are being very cautious until we know exactly what caused this."

On Thursday, a Qantas airliner had one of its four engines shut down six minutes after takeoff from Singapore's Changi Airport, Joyce said.

The plane -- with 440 passengers and 26 crew members -- was headed to Sydney, Australia, but was forced to return to Changi.

Matt Hughes Storm Chaser Death NOT From Storm Chasing

Matt Hughes, the seemingly fearless “storm chaser” in the famous Discovery Channel show has shocked the whole meteorological world (and everything related, in any way, to it) by the news of his death last May 26.

Although a lot of speculations have risen concerning the death of the Dog House vehicle operator, sources close to Hughes emphatically say that it does not have anything to do with his penchant for chasing storms. Hughes was said to have suffered from a ton of emotional problems and issues that ultimately led to his demise. Suicide, among other things, has been mentioned, too.

The November 10 episode of Storm Chasers entitled “Dedication” will be a memorial to “his incredible last chase and is dedicated to his memory,”, Discovery Channel said.

Lil Wayne's release from jail delayed

The rapper will have to wait an additional day before he returns home, MTV News reported.

A guard at the correctional facility told MTV News that the MC's time was 'miscalculated' and he won't be released on Thursday morning as was anticipated.

Young Money President Mack Maine saaid Weezy would celebrate his homecoming with a party Sunday at a Miami strip club.

3-time world champion surfer Andy Irons died

HONOLULU (AP) — Former three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons has died.

Phil Irons, the father of the 32-year-old surfer, confirmed his son's death Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately known.

The younger Irons was found dead in a hotel room in Dallas, where he was on a layover en route to his home on Kauai. He was returning from Puerto Rico, where he was to have competed in the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Search.

Gregory Isaacs died, aged 59

Gregory Isaacs, the reggae singer, has passed away today, aged 59, after fighting a battle with cancer.

The reggae singer, nicknamed “The Cool Ruler” passed away in London this morning.

He lost a long battle with lung cancer. Isaacs was mostly famous for his “Night Nurse” album. The album has been released in 1982.

Isaacs had been, according to reports, travelling in Jamaica this year, and then returned to his home, situated in London.

His last performance was at The Big Chill Festival, this summer, alongside other important names of the music scene, like Massive Attack and Lily Allen.

His last studio album, Brand New Me, was released in 2008, and it has received very good reviews from the music press.

Swimmer dies during 10K open-water race

The big buzz this morning at swim practice was U.S. swimmer Fran Crippen, a 26-year-old Olympic hopeful who died during a World Cup 10K open-water swim race near Dubai over the weekend.

Other competitors have said the temperature of the water in the race was too high.

While FINA, the international swimming federation, sets a maximum temperature for water in pool races, there is no limit in open-water races. The swimmer who won the race estimated the temperature at 86 degrees — 4 degrees above what is deemed acceptable in a pool.

Elections in 2,023 villages postponed in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 3) Village and youth-council elections were postponed in 2,023 barangay (villages) Monday, after most of them failed to receive ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia, authorities said.

In its latest incident report issued at 3 p.m., Philippine National Police task force HOPE (Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections) chief Director Benjamin Belarmino said that the majority of the villages where elections were postponed are in the Bicol Region: Masbate (551 villages), Albay (431), Camarines Sur (298), Sorsogon (185) ) and Catanduanes (183).

In Samar, 209 villages postponed their elections. Other provinces that postponed elections were Pangasinan (19 villages), Isabela (87), Nueva Vizcaya (16), Cagayan (20) and Tarlac (2).

The number constituted 4.8 percent of the total 42,025 villages across the country.

Belarmino, however, said that data still do not include villages in the regions of ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) that postponed their elections.

Major 7.5 quake strikes Indonesia

JAKARTA—(UPDATE) A major 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia Monday, seismologists said, but there were no reports of damage or casualties and an earlier tsunami warning was lifted.

The undersea quake hit Indonesia's Kepulauan Mentawai region at 9:42 p.m. (1442 GMT) at a shallow depth of 14.2 kilometers (nine miles), the US Geological Survey said.

The area is 245 kilometres west of Bengkulu on Sumatra island and 280 kilometres south of Padang – an area popular with tourists.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Exam Result October 2010

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 3,973 out of 8,216 (48%) passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this October 2010.

The results were released in one (1) day after the last day of examination.

The members of the Board of Accountancy are Eugene T. Mateo, Chairman; Ma. Elenita B. Cabrera, Vice Chairman; Luis A. Cañete, Rufo R. Mendoza and Jose S. Tayag, Jr. , Members.

'Sister Wives' finale: Will Season 2

TLC brought its new series"Sister Wives" to a close on Sunday (Oct. 17). The finale centered around the wedding of Kody and fourth wife Robyn and the merging of his family with her three kids. This season saw the introduction and courtship of Robyn, the birth of child no. 13 (Truely) and finally the big wedding. 

There was some palpable jealousy amongst the wives regarding the whole shindig -- Janelle and Christine didn't really have receptions, Janelle because her non-polygamous family basically wanted to have nothing to do with the wedding and Christine because she doesn't believe a new wife entering in a polygamous household should have a big reception.