CNN Heroes: Vote Efren Penaflorida

For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom.

Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.

Peñaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future.

"Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education," he recalls. "I will strive hard; I will do my best."

Don't Miss
Get involved: Dynamic Teen Company
In depth: CNN Heroes
In high school, Peñaflorida faced a new set of challenges. Gang activity was rampant; they terrorized the student body, vandalized the school and inducted members by forcing them to rape young girls, he says.

"I felt the social discrimination. I was afraid to walk down the street."

Peñaflorida remembers standing up to a gang leader, refusing to join his gang. That confrontation proved fateful. At 16, he and his friends "got the idea to divert teenagers like us to be productive," he says.

He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Peñaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved.

"They need education to be successful in life. It's just giving them what others gave to me," he says.

Today, children ranging from ages 2 to 14 flock to the pushcart every Saturday to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English from Peñaflorida and his trained teen volunteers

Source: CNN.com

Read More......

United Nations 09

Type your summary here

Type rest of the post here

Read More......

Web hosting Geeks

Have you visited the site webhostinggeeks. I revistedit recently. My domain name for my other blog just expired so I had to research on what to do about it. I wasn't the one who registered my domain name so I had no clue on how to do it. So I looked around and tried to find web site hosting something that can help me take back my blog. I left a message for the blogger who helped to ask for more help, this time the renewal of my domain. She said she didn't recieved any email regarding this. She told me that she is willing to help me out but she cannot remember the user name and the password. She believes that I should be the one to do it, she didn't recieved any email notifications. She told me to check my inbox if I recieved any of it, and I said yes I did. So it should only mean that I was the one who registered it. So I tried all the username that I would use to I can access my account, but unfortunately I was not able to access my account.

Then I got scared, a messaged popped out that says the account will be locked because of 3 attempted access. If it got locked it will create more problem for me. What I failed to see is the reset password button. I tries it and it was so easy to change the password, and because of that I was able to access my account and subsequently renewed my domain. I checked the webhostinggeeks site to learn more about web hosting, domain registrations, forum among other stuff. What I like about it nis that everything is included in the site. It can answer you every question. There are comparsion table for every service and site which is wonderful. You can compare apple to apple. So in just a few minutes, some click of a button I was able to renew it. It wast not that hard. I did it. Now my other site sweetytots is already up and running.

Read More......

Hope

I am seeing a little bit of hope. Somehow I managed to pull myself up. I am not fully recovered yet, but at least I am not deparate anymore nor suicidal. Slowly, little my little I am seeing a bit of hope. One problem at a time, one torn per stem. Hopefully everything will be over soon.

Read More......

Web Directories

Do you submit your website to web directories? I tried this, I submitted my website to numerous web directories. I read in an SEO specilist site that by doing so you can attract more traffic as well as maybe increase your pagerank. By submitting to web directories more links are added to your site, therefore more chances of traffic and page rank. Accourding to wikipedia: A web directory or link directory is a directory on the World Wide Web. It specializes in linking to other web sites and categorizing those links.

A web directory is not a search engine and does not display lists of web pages based on keywords; instead, it lists web sites by category and subcategory. The categorization is usually based on the whole web site rather than one page or a set of keywords, and sites are often limited to inclusion in only a few categories. Web directories often allow site owners to directly submit their site for inclusion, and have editors review submissions for fitness.

It will categorize you to sites that are of the same or related topics which can also help you to rate better in google in terms of page rank. There are a lot of web directories, I tried a few. I don't know if it worked but its worth a try than do nothing, right? Most web directory sites are easy to navigate, it just takes a few steps to register. There is a form that you should complete that ask simple questions like, url or your site, site name, user name, password, categories among others. There are sites that also ask for picture or even site description, most of the fields are optional, but the more information you give the more chance of directing more traffic to your site.

Read More......

Obamanomics

The American made a different choice when they voted Obama for president. Most say it is a risk making him president, a lot has different views about it. Some say that Obama didn't deliver what they expected him to do. Some say he is not good enough. Some say he is doing a great job with the economics. Being a Filipino, it really would not matter much for us, but we do care. If the United States rise up from the economic fall, most likely it will also pick up our economy and the rest of the world as well.

What I noticed is that, even with the different views of the world about him being the president, one thing is obvious. He made quite a stir with the United States politics, with the Americans and even in the whole world. He made a statement that even an underdog can emerge as a winner. More Americans took notice, more people gave a damn about politics, about their leader. That is what I wish for the Philippines, for more people to take notice, to actually care about our government, about our leader. We should all make our own contribution on how to make things work. We should give a hand if we want our country to rise. We should all exercise our right to vote. We should all give a damn about our own economy just like how the Americans cared about Obamanomics

Read More......

Rio, sorry but I have to let you go.

Rio is my car, she got broken because of the flood. Tomorrow a mechanic is going to check if he can do something about it. The main problem is the computer box, it got broken because my cousin made a mistake of starting the car, even if we told him several times not to. Now I have to worry about the repair of the car, well It wont be better if I look for somebody else to blame. Rio will be fine after tomorrow, in fact it will be better than before, but I still have to let her go. I really need some money now, I will use it to start over. I am thinking of putting up something else, something that will earn monthly. I don't want to give on construction because I am honestly happy about it. I believe I am doing good with my just I just have to learn not to be so nice, I just have to be strict with the collections. Hopefully sooner or later I will have savings to buy another Rio, I'll check the used cars on sale.

Read More......

Should I let go?

There is this person that is so important to me, but with the problems I am goign through it is much easier for me to let go. It should teach both of us to be stronger, I know it would be the right things to do but I also dont want him to feel that I gave up. I dont want to, but there is something wrong that's going on. I hope I am wrong. I hope that my judgement is a little cloudy.

Read More......

Food Cart Construction

I would to offer Food Cart Construction now. I am really running out of ideas, maybe I should check some new torrents for new ideas. I will try anything just to look for new ways to find client for consturction and to eventually provide work for my workers. I need to find work now, but I don't think going back to employment will do me good. I need find new projects. Maybe I should set up a website that introduce my work and services. I should research about Simple interface that can tap Powerful search engine. I can add some perks like the download lots of games, music, films for free in to time without the fear of downloading empty and not complete file.

Read More......

Farewell Letter

I wrote a farewell letter in my previous post. I specifically wrote one, so that I can leave something for my family to read when I am gone. Well obviously I am still here writing this post. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who left their messages to comfort me. Well I am still sad, depressed and scared, but I think I can manage. I realized I don't have a choice either, so I just had to hang on. Back to writing the farewell letter, I wonder if I should include a
return address labels. That would be funny, if a suicide letter would include a return address. Come to think of it, I should put "heaven" as return address.

Read More......

Farewell

Papa,

I love you, I always did. Form the time I was a child you are the most important person for me. I look up to you and repect you. Most of my decisions as an adult was partly influence on how you brought me up. I was like Jea. When I was little nobody ever mattered to me like you did. I worshiped you like god. I don't even know how we end up like this. I don't even remember how we first started hating each other . But no matter ho much I hate you or how much you hate me you know in your heart that I love you so much.

Mama,

You are my bestfriend, I cared for you more than a mom but as a friend. My friends call me wierd back in college because I woul tell them that I'd rather go home and help you out with the houshold chores that to go watch movie with them. I was a teenager then and I can enjoy life like my classmates did. I always gave importance to my reponsibility.


I remember going home at 4pm on my breaktime to clean the house and cook dinner so that when you come home you will see a clean house and delicious dinner ready. I don't want you to worry about anything since you had a very tiring day at the office, after that I'll go back to class. Most of the time I will not eat dinner so that I can save mu allowance, by the time I get home after class at 9pm that's the only time I'll take my dinner sometimes I don't even eat at all. The dishes are waiting for me to be washed. I was practically I housemaid for my own family growing up. I served them well. It didn't bother me at that time because I love them they are the most important to me. At that time I was in denial, I thought my life was perfect, until I finally opened my eyes and saw how messed up our family really is.

To Mama, you don't know how much I wanted to please you. You practically dictates everything in my life since birth. Maybe its also my fault I allowed you to control my life. Now that I am older I am having a hard time breaking lose from your chains. You, yourself still wont understand that I have my own life and I should be in control of it not you. I allowed you to manipulate me, even for the man that I will love.

It hurts me, that on this time that I am so down, the poeple that should be there for me to suport me and help me out are the same ones that is pulling me down. They should be the one to encourage me, but they are the ones who are telling me nasty things to further pull me down. The worst part is that they are the people that I love most.

To Jea,

baby I love you so much, you still will not understand what I am going through but believe me I did my best. It hurts me to feel that you dont need me anymore. For you to not love me back. I love you so much , and if not for you I would have died a long time ago. I wish you knew how much I fought for you. How much I pushed myself to be strong for you, becuase I knew that you need me. But now, I feel like you don't need me anymore. It hurts me to be rejected by you. I failed all aspects of my life. I lost my job, I failed on my buisness venture, I am bankrupt, and the car that I invested on is now worthless becuase of the flood. You are the only one I can be proud of, my daughter but even you Jea I already lost. If I were to die I want you to know that mommy loves you so much. I did everyhting I can to be a good mother to you. For the past 4 years that you are in my life my world is all about you. I know you are well loved by your Mama and Papa but I don't think they are the right people who should take care of you. They love you too mcuh that ehy will not even consider what is wrong and right. You have to learn the ups and downs of life. They will not be forever by your side to shield you from life. I want you to stay with Nang-nang and Nong-nong. I believe thay have the right balance that can love you the most they can but can still tell you if you are not doing the right things.

Kuya / Nong-nong,

We we're never close as siblings, from the time we we're kids all we do is fight but I know you love me. My fondest memory of you was on the night of my debut, when you hugged me and cried and tolf me that you love me. I will forever cherish that moment. For me it was the most sincere moment with you.

Pau / Nang-nang,

Thank you for coming into or life. You are not just a sister but a bestfriend. You are the only one who actually cared for me now on my tough times. Nobody took me seriously, not even my family, not even my dughter, not even my real bestfriends. Thank you so much, sorry to for carrying the burden.

Read More......

Suicide

Im suppose to kill myself today. Why? Many of you doesn't know what I've been going through for the past 2 months. I've been going through depression for the past months, in fact it feels like I've been going through it for the past years, maybe in my whole lifetime. This is hard and honestly I am ready to kill myself. I've been thinking about it for the past week, thinking of how I will do it. I've even cried help from my bestfriend aking her if I'll go to hell if I do it. You know what nobody believes me. Nobody is taking me seriously. What they don't know is that I am really ready to die. I wanted to die. For me its the best time of my life. Why? because when I die I know this is the only time that people will appreciate me. That for once they will say, "Si Jp, mabait na bata yan! Mabait na anak yan! Masipag yan!Mabuting Nanay yan "I know I will only hear that when I die. I really wanted to die.

My cousin died a few weeks ago, and on the day of her burial I've been crying like hell because I wanted to be in her shoes. I wanted to die. If only I can exchange places with her I would. She is very lucky, eventhough she died at a very early age of 35 she was so lucky, she had lukemia and died after a few days of diagnosis. She was lucky she didn't have to take her own life, she was even given a few days to ask forgiveness for her sins, she even got a final blessing. She is so lucky to be spared from all the hardships of life. If given a choice, I'd choose to die.

A few days ago, while in the 21st floor of a condo, I am ready to die. I wanted to jump out of the window, but didn't. I told myself if I die now I don't have a suicide note yet. I wont even have the chance to tell my love ones how I feel about them I wanted to tell Jea that I love her so much, but I can't take it anymore. I am not scared to leave her, she is well loved by my family unlike me. If I die, I want her to live with my brother and sis-in-law. I know Pau will be a great mom for Jea. I would not want her to stay with my parents, she will only end up as messed up as me. So here I am I am writing my suicide note. After this who knows if this is my last post.

Today, I am again ready to die. I'm thinking of cutting my wrist. Since everybody left, I have the chance to kill myself today. I am ready to leave Jea, I am ready to leave my family infact they are the reason why I wanted to die. I should write my farewell letter. I am realy ready to die, but there is one thing that is keeping me from doing it. I had attempts of suicide years ago, right when I found out that I was pregnant. In fact I attempted 3 times. ALl 3 times I was stopped. One thing about suicide is that right before you do it your whole lifetime flash backs and as it does you or at least me, I always find a reason not to do it. My first attempt was I was suppose to cut my wrist, but at that time my brother was out of town and I wanted my whole family to be beside me when I die so I postpone it. The 2nd time, I was suppose to crash my car into a big tree. So I planned it. I left work very late to be sure that I will will encounter traffic on my way home and speed up as much as I can then crash the car into a big tree right that the end of the road. So there I am crying in my car, going at about 160kph on the road a few seconds right before the tree I bowed my head to say a little prayer before I die I saw myself wearing my seat belt. I didn't even remember putting it on. It ws not even my pratice to put my seatbelt on, but that night I had it on. So again, I didn't do it. I told myself if I crashed into this tree I will not die I will only be sent to the hospital and my fmaily will hate me more because of the expenses. My 3rd attempt was somehow miraculous. I was on the 38th floor of the building. That time it was still under construction so there were no walls yet. I can just run and jump off. So there I was, my friend left me for a while to inspect the other areas, so I have the chance to do it. So I walked slowly to the edge. I am just one step away and I'm gone. Just one step, one tiny step and I would be flying down to the ground. Then I felt somedbody hugged me, but there was nobody there. If feels like somebody is hugging me. I can feel the arms around me. My knees felt weak and I slowly sat down crying. As I sat down I can still feels somebody hugging me. If felt cold, it felt hot. I cannot even describe it. I just founf myself sitting and crying and I cant move myself. Then my friend came back and saw me. I dont know if it was God who hugged me, but that feeling stopped me from killing myself.

Here I go again, so depressed and feeling so down. Again, I wanted t kill myself. Again Flash backs came. I am thinking of what will happen if I do it. I am ready to leave my family, ready to leave Jea, ready to leave my life. One thing kept me from doing it, I told myself if I die I will not get to see him anymore. I believe God gave me this man to feel loved. To know that even if, everything in my life fails there is still one thing that will keep me alive. I thank God for giving him to me. Because of him I feel loved and needed. What you do not know is that when we started I didn't love you, I just needed someone or something to hang on to. I thought you cannot put up with me through this though times. But you were there and still is beside me coping up through this depression, keeping me sane. For that alone I will forever be grateful. I love you now, much more that I can love any other man.

Read More......

Help!!! I need work for my workers!

Reality is now hunting me. From the time that I decided to do construction now is the only time that I am panicking. I've been blessed for the past 4 months for continued projects, yes I always get a new project right before one ends, what's wrong now is that 2 of my projects are not paying. I can live with that, I am not worried much about myself about my livelihood. What I am so worried of is that my team of workers will eventually have no work soon. My business does not provide for myself alone, my business also provided livelihood for 8 others for past 4 months. My workers are ot just workers for me, they are like family. I have developed a team that actually cared about each other. Honestly, I felt more secure with them than with any other friends. I appreciate them, I felt their sincerity, their loyalty, and yes even love.

They have become more than an employee for me. For the past months, we've been together night and day. I practically spent 10-12 hours a day with them everyday, even on weekends and holidays. They put up with me, with my anger, with my "attitude". I worked with them, laughed with them, and even cried with them. They we're there for me when I needed support, when I needed a little tap on the shoulder for the past months they've been my family.

Construction is not as profitable as I thought, mainly because I choose not to decieve my clients. I have been very honest and generous. I think I have been too kind. Most of my clients are still not paid even if the project is done for a long time already. If only I have money, if only I can affored to give salaries to all ofthem. Right now I am looking for new projects. I am even willing to work even without profit, meaning there is nothing for me, as long as there will be work for my workers. Does anyone of you blogger friends are looking for a contractor? Are you planning for a renovation or a even repairs? Please let me know, I promise I will give you the lowest price as you can get, I can sacrifice my own profit as long as I can give livelihood for my workers. Please contact me if you have a construction project, anything. Kitchen renovation, a new lanai, living room extension. I'll take any project. Sorry if I sound like I am begging, but I am really worried for my workers. Some of them are already begging me, crying so that they can work to provide for their family.

Please let me know if you have any construction requirements or you know someone who does. You can contact me thru 0922-8878730 or jpespino11@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Read More......