Nang mabalita sa Internet na patay na si Michael Jackson (MJ) noong Hunyo 25, 2009, mabilisan ang palitan ng mensahe, postings at tribute matapos. Marami ang nalungkot. Banggit ng kaibigang Sarah, yung kapatid ng kaibigan niya, yapos-yapos ang sanggol at bigla na lamang napahagulgol.

MAPPING THE FUTURE is actually envisioning the future in visual terms. James Canton's book, the Extreme Future (Penguin Group 2007), that gives a picture of the top trends that will reshape the world in the next 20 years, has powerfully captured the need to welcome the extreme future prepared. Canton writes: "Maps are so much revealing, though, when they're studied closely in the context of when and where they were created. Maps are snapshots of time that chronicle change, the evolution of thinking about navigation, conquest, commerce, threat, and opportunity. They are more than just geography. Maps change when new information is introduced. I thought about maps as a metaphor for strategic thinking. Maps were a product of an ongoing discovery process to navigate not just geography, but change itself." (Extreme Future, pp. 16-18)

I am once more, carefully and giddily, turning leaf after yellowed and brittle leaf of pre-war journals. It is the famed Philippine Journal of Education this time. Dean Francisco Benitez and his wife, Paz Marques Benitez are two individuals linked to this publication, which guided the early years of public educations.

THANK YOU, VOX BIKOL: Thank God, in the name of Jesus, for the opportunity that had been given to me to write a column for this prestigious newspaper starting today!

CASTILLA, Sorsogon, June 30 (PNA) -- The viability of cassava as source of bio-ethanol has been determined and Sorsogon province is a good prospect for a massive production of this lowly root crop, Vice-Governor Renato Laurinaria said here Tuesday. "If cassava is becoming an important bio-fuel crop in other countries with more advanced national programs for bio-fuel production, our soils are also capable of large-scale production of the crop not only for food, livestock feeds but mainly for bio-ethanol," he stressed.

MANILA, July 3, 2009-The recent decision of the Senate of the Philippines' leadership to recall several whistleblowers' security escorts will unnecessarily put their lives at risk and discourage future whistleblowers from coming out according to Catholic church leaders. CBCP President and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo said the decision will "cast some fear on future whistleblowers" because they will be deprived of their safety.

VATICAN, June 28, 2009-- Benedict XVI affirmed to the bishops of Vietnam that religion is not a threat to national unity, and that Church-state relations can be carried out in a spirit of cooperation.

PILI, Camarines Sur (1 July 2009) - A total of 312 triathlon athletes, over 50 of them foreigners, have registered as of press time to compete in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines slated August 23, 2009 at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex here.

NAGA CITY, June 30 (PNA) --- The Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tagkawayan-Naga stretch will soon be operational in time for the forthcoming Peñafrancia fiesta here. The assurance came from Naga City-based PNR consultant Nicolas Beda Priela who told media practitioners that the rehabilitation works in the area are being rushed for the celebration of the regional fiesta in September this year.

IRIGA CITY --- Unknown to many, two years before the Bicol Association of Catholics Schools (BACS) decided not to participate in this year Peñafrancia Military Parade, the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP), a private, non-sectarian school, had already stopped joining the region's longest and widely participated military parade competition since school year 2007-2008 finding no relevant purpose in it, UNEP's top official said.