Dear Friends

With regards to the upcoming World AIDS Day Campaign 2008 with the them Leadership, the Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (KGPP), Inc. will initiate a fund-raising campaign for our most-at-risk children and youth (boys 7-17 years old) dubbed as “mga nawong sa likod sang masskara” a unite for children unite against AIDS local campaign for children.

Tickets are sold at 300.00 PhP each inclusive of meal and a handcrafted art souvenir item, a certificate and invitation programme or package B of 500.00 PhP + a reproduced art counseling piece representing a life of a prostituted boy. The dinner venue is at Romeo’s grill 2nd Floor Metrodome, Sincang, Bacolod City on December 1, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

Arts and crafts are produced by street children during the Artwork Festival of Street Children during the Masskara Festival celebration held at the publi47c plaza last October 19, 2008 and these will be sold at 200.00 – 500.00 pesos each. Street children will also join us during the World AIDS Day Campaign and the dinner for their meaningful participation.

Income generated from this activity is dedicated to create a trust fund for the sustainability of the art therapy, counseling and workshops and to transition these children to formal, non-formal or vocational education system and training to alleviate impact of the hazards of street life they confront daily as part of our commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

KGPP, Inc.
Bacolod City

Okay.

I and a couple of friends at work wanted to laugh after a busy morning shift so we went out to see Mirror, a horror movie. Then just last night on tv, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Hilarious? Yes, they were quite. You see most horror flicks have this usual thing in common. Lead actors are constantly curious however convincingly petrified they are. And they almost always end up the last one alive in spite of their ever clumsy, polio-like infected legs whenever they run away from the villain. They don’t die because that would be the supporting actors’ job.  Cool.

Lead: huh what was that? (opens the door.. crreeeekkk)

Supporting: let’s get out of here… (scared stiff)

Lead: (acts horrified..) come on now, follow me.

Supporting:  no let’s just go home please. (now shaking, breathes heavily )

Narrates: then out of the darkness unknown, a smite on (insert a common, forgettable name for the supporting actor here)’s head  finally ends all his fears…  For in death, no one sees, hears nor feel.

Lead: NOOOOOOOOO!!! (holding his friend’s headless body) I am like, so out of hurrrr!!! boohoohoo. (drops the body on the floor then sprints away – oh and then accidentally trips over his friend’s head.)

2 left feet + really annoying toddler-like curiosity + shit-filled cerebrals = lead actors of horror movies.

Cat’s curiosity killed the dog.

Dear Lord, if all the smart ones end up with no heads at all, then what hope do we have?

Morning rounds.

Nurse: Good morning Ms. Santos, how are you today?

Patient: I’m good. Thank you.

3 seconds went by, nurse went back to the room.

Nurse: uh Ms. Santos, I forgot to tell you about…

Patient: *_*

Nurse: Ms. Santos? (palpates carotid pulse)

Patient: ________________________________

Nurse: Oh mah ghaaaddd! CODE BLUE!! CODE BLUUUE!!!

*************

My Nanay was on the computer playing Scrabble one afternoon and I was on the same room just in bed about to begin a 48 hours nap. I closed my eyes for just around 3 seconds and when I opened and looked her way, she was like gone with the furrrigging wind. I mean what the buck!? I didn’t even hear the door or the foot of the chair sliding on the floor or something. Tsk.

Guys, if you’re leaving, make some noise. A simple “hey” or “yo!” would do. Thank you.

Silence doesn’t really mean a thing. It is Nothingness. It shouldn’t really be in the dictionary.

Self-expression of “Kevin’s Victimisation Transformed into Art by the Artist's Hands through Art Counselling

Name of Child: Kevin, started prostitution at age 8
now 16 years old working as peer educator under the
UNICEF Country Programme for Children –6
Counselling-artist: Levi Salmon
Counsellor: Virginia Tinsay-Advincula, RSW
Original piece bought by: Ms. Mylene Salamero at the AIDS Conference Mexico, August 6, 2008

Too long I dared to stare at the light

Where the world’s wolves are out of sight

With blighted eyes I blink to find

Kind, blissful light, you have made me blind

Too long I dared to play with darkness

Where every pain I lost to madness

If I stay would I succumb to your gyrating abyss

Of rage, remorse, and to the Reaper’s kiss?

From then on I stayed in between these hues

Of black and white along pink and blues

Though safe, here I find, gone is my muse

Blind or dead? Now I have to choose.

I once followed tracks of these ashen snow
Secretly, silently, cautiously, now
Or I’m sure be dead with just one blow
That’s what I know I was only four

Though with fright, with all my might
I beg the truth to come to light
Sir blue eyed armed men, where are my people?
The death chamber they said, you wanna come with, girl?

I ran with the black wind, but it carried no hope
Just echoes of their brutal heehaws, and my people’s ashen souls
Now where is God in this time of evil outpour?
How would I know, I was only four.

No. I did not come.

I never really put an effort, not even a finger’s wit of energy released for a click or two to procure a ticket to the Eheads reunion concert as
sponsored by the multi-billion-worth-carcinogenic-producing Phillip Morris
company. And I don’t smoke. I loathe the idea of offering incense to the
devil himself, and nicotine down my throat. Maybe one of the reasons why cardiovascular diseases is prevalent nowadays even to the early-late 20 of age people - like Buendia? Ironic event. This makes it controversial.

And I had a hunch. Not that I have clairvoyant powers, though
it might be my pessimist side dictating me not to go however insisting a couple
of my friends are (they’ll drive you crazy – it did me) on going to the concert.
I just thought it is not going to push through given the frontman’s health condition. It’ll be postponed, or merely be
cut short. Just exactly what might happen when a traitor disease hits The Ely
Buendia the second time around.  And it
exactly did. (I hope I didn’t jinx it for thinking it.)

I mean it’s the Eraserheads together again on one stage. It’s
just frigging TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

And I still believe there’s no such thing as too good to be
true, frigging-ly. (ahem sorry for the word). Though, at least their music made
me reconsider changing this thought.

Anyway, to the gods of Pinoy rock, thank you for the music.

To the friendster profile, Eheads gives you alapaap.

Enjoy.

dear patient, it's me again.the least of whom you want to see. your body language tells. you turn your back on me when i greet you hello.... just a little smile, i will be grateful for. you shout at me...

Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay has been selected for a space for the NGO Booth and marketplace booths at AIDS2008 at the Global Village in the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 3-8 August 2008.

The NGO Booth will showcase the youth-led initiatives of the organiztion addressing the risks and vulnerabilties of most-at-risk children, youth and women in Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Municipality of Estancia in Western Visayas Region.

The NGO booth will also showcase the YouthActionNet Global Fellowship of the International Youth Foundation and the "connecting youth to create change" activities of YAN ambassadors and fellows.

The Marketplace booth will showcase one souvenir item - a mini t-shirt with HIV/AIDS messages made by street children in Iloilo City to be sold at 10 USD each or buy one-set of 10 pcs at 75 USD. The proceed will go to the 5-year plan to build a small school for children and youth in difficult circumstances. IEC materials in Hiligaynon Langauage and Organizational Brochures will also be displayed and distributed.

Please make a visit to support our project and be part of our family and dream.

Two abstracts from HIV/AIDS Prevention for Most-at-Risk Children and Youth in Western Visayas has been selected for Poster Exhibition at the XVII International AIDS Conference to be held at Centro Banamex, Mexico City

Abstract 1: AIDS-Talk Marathon: Young People's Movement to Halt and Reverse HIV (formerly HAYAP on Tour)
Presenting Author: John Piermont V. Montilla [1]
Team Leader: Andrie Nelson Ceballos [2]
Advocacy Supervisor: Stanley Fabila-Lazalita [3]

Institutes:
1 KGPP, Inc.
2 Peer in Action Core Team
3 UNICEF CPC-6 Advocacy and Social Mobilization: SocMob Component

Schedule of Presentation: Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Location: Poster Exhibition, Hall D at Centro Banamex


Abstract 2: Mainstreaming HIV Prevention Policies and Programme in the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children through Participation of At-risk and Vulnerable Children and Youth: The Barangay Sum-ag of Bacolod City Experience
Presenting Author: John Piermont V. Montilla [1]
Supervisor: Philip Castro, RN, MHSS [2]
Advocacy Policy Champion: Hon. Brgy. Capt. Sayson [3]
Local Catalysts: Linda Ablanque, RSW [4]
Advocacy Supervisor: Stanley Fabila-Lazalita [5]
Project Coordinator: Virginia Tinsay-Advincula, RSW [6]

Institutes:
1 KGPP, Inc.
2 UNICEF CPC-6 Advocacy and Social Mobilization: Advocacy Policy Component
3 Brgy. Council for the Protection of Children, Brgy. Sum-ag Bacolod City
4 Department of Social Services and Development Bacolod City
5 KGPP, Inc. HIV and AIDS Division

Schedule of Presentation: Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Location: Poster Exhibition, Hall D at Centro Banamex

Please visit during my presentation on how our organization go about in working with most-at-risk children and youth and our local government in accelerating local responses on HIV and AIDS. Please prepare your questions and I will provide you our insights and perspective especially the voices of children I had bring with me. Those who cannot attend, please use this blog for knowledge exchange

I have examined the visitors' map powered by GOOGLE.You may kindly note that the name of BANGLADESH has not been recorded though its demarcation has been given.
Please record the name of BANGLADESH for the satisfaction of tig members interested to locate this country in the world map.
Best regards,
Zainul

bakit daw hindi na ko sumusulat.. ewan. malay. wala lang. baka pumurol na mga lapis ng utak ko. kung si bob ong kausap ko -- pihado sasabihin nun -- constipated ang bolpen mo. kailangan na nyan ng labatiba.. o ng...

Here is an article published in the Guardian Newspaper today 10-10-07,it is about preserving the cultural land marks of the Igbos of South Eastern Nigeria. The Igbos are the Jews Living in West Africa,and they are concentrated heavily in what is today called South East Nigeria.

Group wants global attention to Igbo cultural landmarks
From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
HIGHLIGHTING the need for national attention and international projection of the cultural landmarks in Igbo land a body named Mbido Igbo Association has called on the federal government to take a closer look at the area. They want government to facilitate the excavation of the over seven identified archaeological sites in the South East of Nigeria, as well as take note of its abundant tourism potentials in forms of festivities and unique environment.

The call came last Thursday, October 4, when representatives of the Mbido Igbo Association paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Dr.) Martin Nwafor Ezeh, the Idu II of Igbo-Ukwu and chairman, board of trustee, Mbido Igbo Association, who led the visit, emphasised that the Igbo race has a lot to offer the country in terms of culture and tourism. He noted that the tradition that gave life to the Igbo-Ukwu bronze civilisation that has been adjudged one of the best in the world and second to none in Africa is still existent.

"The technological height achieved by our great ancestors has not died. The bronze culture is still on in Igbo-Ukwu since 6th century BC."

Noting that great potentials abound in the region undeveloped, Igwe called on the Ministry to explore the 'seven wonders' of nature, which include Ogba Ukwu Wonderful Cave in Owerrezukala, Anambra State, Olokoro

Wooden Cave in Abia State, Amanchore Cave, Ebonyi State, Oguta Lake in Imo State as well Awhum Waterfall and Cave in Enugu States, among others, lying waste in their area.

While stressing that cultural festivals in the area, especially the New Yam Festival, have been invigorated, Igwe Nwafor prayed the minister to, among other things, appoint their subjects into the boards' of the ministry's parastatals. He asked government to put Igbo-Ukwu and the South East among the tourism zones of the country while also assisting in the funding of the New Yam Festival to rank among other national festivals like Osun Osogbo and the Argugun Fishing Festivals.

In his response, the Minister of State, who listened attentively to the six-man delegation, appreciated the body's recognition of the importance of culture, "not only as a tool for social development but that which also serves as a means of economic development and social integration."

While assuring them of the ministry's commitment to promoting culture and tourism, Hong expressed understanding of the pivotal role of the New Yam Festival in integrating the Igbo race. He informed that the issue, which has earlier been brought to the awareness of the ministry, is receiving due attention. He however charged his guests to call on the very entrepreneurial Igbo sons and daughters to invest in tourism as well as make the Igbo land tourism friendly so as to enable foreigners and investors to take advantage of the huge tourism potentials available in the region.

"I have no doubt in my mind about the importance of the New Yam Festival. It has been brought to our attention: its importance to the Igbo race and the need to make it become a national concern."

He however noted that the issue of making the New Yam Festival a national event compared to Osun Osogbo and others, lies strictly with the people of the area and their ability to market and project the festival by highlighting its potentials to the knowledge of the people.

"But let me quickly mention to you that Osun Osogbo and Argungun Fishing Festival, which you cite as example are the efforts of the states and private sector initiatives..."

"Our own is to give you a legitimate support like participating in it, providing technical expertise and also promoting the tourism content."

While pledging to identify with the Igbo people in all their cultural fiesta, the minister expressed regrets that he might not have the opportunity to participate in the oncoming Mbido Igbo Festival scheduled for November in Igbo Ukwu because of the Abuja Carnival holding at the same period.

Hi Every one,
The article below published in the Nigerian Guardian Newspaper of 8th October,2007 simply reveal the reality of the Nigerian Nation especially, which has allowed Crude Oil to be a curse rather than a blessing to it's people-high corruption level and whole sale looting of the proceeds of these resources have left the people poorer and more poorer by the day.


Technology widens rich-poor gap
By Philip Emeagwali
OIL has made us billions and fuelled our economic stability, but oil has also become the bane of our existence. For some, it is a curse that has caused poverty and corruption, but for others it is an essential source of untold wealth and power. But as the gap between rich and poor countries continues to expand, it is clear that intellectual capital and technology rule the world, and that natural resources such as oil, gold, and diamonds are no longer the primary determinants of wealth.

Surprisingly, nations with few natural resources demonstrate greater economic growth rates than OPEC countries. Japan's economic growth, driven by technological superiority, outpaces that of Saudi Arabia; South Korea is growing faster than oil-rich Nigeria; and Taiwan's economy has moved well beyond that of oil-rich Venezuela. The United States and Norway are also rich in oil, yet their staggering economic growth comes from intellectual capital.

In reality, it is not money but intellectual capital that drives prosperity. More important, perhaps, is the reality that poverty is driven and sustained by a lack of intellectual capital. The intimate relationship between intellectual capital and economic growth is as old as humanity itself, and is well illustrated by this parable from ancient Babylon (modern-day Iraq). A man asked his children:

"If you had a choice between the clay of wisdom or a bag of gold, which would you choose?"

"The bag of gold, the bag of gold" the na?ve children cried, not realising that wisdom had the potential to earn them many more bags of gold in the future.

Seven thousand years later, Iraq - the cradle of civilisation - has its own private bag of gold as it sits perched atop the world's third largest oil reserves.

Meanwhile, Israel, tucked away in the hostile terrain of a barren desert, has the clay of wisdom - the weightless wealth of intellectual capital embodied in the collective mind of its people. The striking economic gap that persists between rich and poor nations has increased sevenfold over the past century to what is now an all-time high. The accumulation of intellectual capital by rich nations has helped broaden this gap because it has enabled them to control technology and collect hidden taxes from less affluent nations. For instance, Nigeria pays a 40 per cent "royalty" tax on its petroleum revenues to foreign oil companies that are ripping out its family jewels - the huge store of wealth in its oilfields. These oilfields started forming when prehistoric, dog-sized humans - our common ancestor with the apes - walked African grasslands on four legs.

It's a shocking reality, but the deep oil reserves laid down by Mother Nature millions of years ago and nurtured through the millennia in Africa have been whittled away within decades. And, for the dubious privilege of surrendering its natural resources forever, Nigeria is required to pay half its petroleum revenue in the form of "royalties" to the rich kids on the global block, the United States and the Netherlands. That oilfield has been exchanged for a bowl of porridge, and the black gold that should serve the under-served in Nigeria is helping wealthy Westerners get wealthier.

Today, half the world's population - three billion people - live on an average of $500 a year. In contrast, Bill Gates earns $500 every second. By controlling technology and taxing computer users, Gates has become wealthier than each of the 70 poorest nations on earth and using his financial might has conquered more territory than Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great combined.

While Bill Gates is the new millennium's Prince of Technology, he is by no means the first to have taken on the huge potential offered by the realm of technology. The Romans used roads and military technology to expand their empire. And, for centuries, Britain ruled a quarter of the Earth due to its unparalleled ability to command maritime technology and conquer the Seven Seas. Britain undoubtedly established itself as the world's first superpower through its rapid and ruthless colonial expansion programme. The British raised the Union Jack over Canada and Australia, India and Hong Kong, Egypt and Kenya, and countless other countries - even the United States. The Union Jack cast its shadow in every global time zone, giving rise to the saying, "The sun never sets on the British Empire," a fact that was cold comfort to the colonised nations.

In the same way, the United States has embraced its technological supremacy, both offensively and defensively, to build its own global empire without a physical presence in any of its "colonies." The sole remaining superpower is at the forefront of every major technological advancement, which it has used to become deeply embedded in three-quarters of the globe. The U.S. has accomplished a virtual economic colonisation manifesting its presence throughout the globe by harnessing the power of technology and capitalising on its clay of wisdom.

Africa's inability to realise its potential and embrace technology has left it at the mercy of the West. The time has come for Africa to seize the day and resist the efforts of America and others to leave their imprint and plunder its natural resources. Numerous examples throughout history support the idea that technology can be used as a tool of oppression. And there's little doubt that America's technological advancement has allowed it to exploit natural resources around the world.

This is particularly evident in Africa, where the U.S. is exploiting oilfields beneath the pristine rainforest - and being rewarded with a 40-per cent tax at the expense of the African people. This lends credence to history's assertion that those who control technology oppress those who do not, eventually enslaving them and, finally, wielding power around the globe.


Emeagwali, winner of the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize, the Nobel Prize of supercomputing, lives in the United States

Hi Every one,
Nigeria is a hidden tourist destination but the only problem we have is that our political leaders concentrated more on looting the crude oil money and think less of promoting and advertising our God -given tourism potentials. But in my own little way,i will continue to showcase these hidden tourists' haven. You are most welcome to Nigeria,just let me know when you are coming over here!! Enjoy this "Garden of Eden" Called Obudu Cattle Ranch!!


Encounter with heaven in Nigeria
By Ken Ugbechie
THE governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, likes to describe his state particularly its capital, Calabar, as the closest place that compares to heaven. Imoke's comparison derives strongly from the enchanting flora that signpost the landscape of the state. But much more, his claim is ossified by the allure of nature that assails you as you move towards the North-eastern part of the state. Destination: Obudu Cattle Ranch, the native home of the Becheve people whose strength and character are epitomised by their stocky frame, broad shoulder and hospitable spirit. The ranch is a piece of marvel and it lucidly depicts the majesty and glory of creation. Any visitor would wonder at the beauty of this special patch of earth that barbs the Cameroon Mountain. Surreal, serene and tranquil, it sits on a plateau that hangs at over 5000 feet above sea level and spread over rolling grassland and montane forests.

Last weekend, I had the rare opportunity of spending a night at the ranch. About two or more dozens of journalists were ferried into the ranch in cable cars over a distance of 11 kilometres from the foot of one of the many mountains that embroider the horizon. It was an adrenaline pumping exercise to find oneself and five others (each cable car takes only six persons and there are about 36 of such cars in the ranch) in the belly of a glass-walled cable car gliding slowly with the aid of a cable rolling over an 11-kilometre track propped up in the air by masts jutting out of the undulating terrain. Journalists are adventurers and die-hard risk-takers. But it was obvious that we met more than our match in the cable car experience which at a distance of 11 kilometres is reputed to be the longest in Africa.

Journalists can also be terrified. Save for James Akpandem, the editor of Daily Independent, who has explored this part of the country countless times, the rest of us were as scared as frightened rabbits in a warren. The Obudu episode dwarfs my experience at the Table Mountains in Cape Town, South Africa. The fright, however, ceases as soon as you berth on the surface of the plateau. It is another world, another planet. In fact, it is heaven's gate. The governor's media aide, Patrick Ugbe, had earlier described the ranch as the place where earth meets heaven. It may well be. First you are elevated to an altitude that makes the rest of humanity look like a community of ants. You are suspended in the ionosphere except that here there are exotic buildings housing hotels, restaurants, gyms and spars, shops and sporting facilities for your pleasure. There is also a Presidential resort complete with a Presidential suite tailored after the Camp David of the United States. Here again, you are not in want of peace. You are insulated from the banditry and savagery that beset those on the surface of the earth. The air is fresh and distilled.

Temperature is temperate hovering between four and 10 degrees Celcius between June and September and 26 to 32 degrees from November to January. Obudu is better than any part of Europe in winter and far exceeds the glory of the industrialised West in summer. It is where modernity and nature co-exist. Founded as a cattle ranch in 1949 by an expatriate rancher, its wide-ranging ranges have over the years guaranteed it as home to wild life. And you wonder why Nigerians still go to Europe for holiday. It is probably so because not many people are aware of the transformation that has taken place at the ranch. It was a tourism destination at a point especially during the Second Republic but it soon fell into the hands of the military. For the two or more decades that the military held sway, the ranch was badly managed.

Hope was rekindled in 1999 when Governor Donald Duke in partnership with the management of the resort decided to upgrade it to a world class status. The incumbent governor says he will consolidate the previous efforts to make Cross River State the preferred tourism destination. It is very possible and earnings from tourism may in the coming years outstrip the state's allocation from the Federation Account. The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has predicted a bright future for countries that develop their tourism potential. Aside creating jobs and contributing to tax revenues, tourism has become a major foreign exchange earner in global economy. In 2002 alone, 715 million tourists traveled round the world generating $472 billion in earnings. In 2020, WTO predicts 1.6 billion international tourists moving round the world and spending more than $2 trillion annually or $5 billion daily.

This is the future of tourism. It is a future of hope and harvest. It is heart-warming that the government of Cross River State is keying into this future by embarking and consolidating on ambitious projects namely the Tinapa Resort comprising 54 line shops, 243-room hotel, casino, eight cinema screens among others; the Calabar Marina Resort which boasts of the heart-rending slave museum and the various craft markets strewn across the state.

In the global tourism matrix, Nigeria's Cross River State looks well primed to slice off a good chunk of the spoils. Imoke says he is already thinking along that line. He wants to achieve this by providing the people with the relevant amenities that would empower them to tap into the tourism potential of the state. The Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realisation (POWER), a Millennium Development Goal initiative founded and supervised by his wife, Obioma, also seeks to empower the women to take advantage of the economies of scale created by the tourism industry.

Truly, Cross River State is a fitting and reassuring epigraph to the vision of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to diversify and deepen the revenue base of the nation while growing the economy to make Nigeria one of the global top 20 economies in the world by 2020.

But more importantly, those who zoom off to Europe to spend foreign exchange in the name of holiday should think Cross River State . From Calabar, the first capital city of Nigeria replete with historic and ancient landmarks to Obudu where as a colleague said, the Garden of Eden still exits, there is something to cheer and to celebrate about Nigeria.

Top this with the legendary hospitality of the Calabar woman, the seductive dance of the Leboku maiden and the serenading songs of the cultural troupes then you would realise why Imoke likens his state to heaven and why you should 'spoil' yourself a little in this magical state.