* 8 Dead during the 12hr hostage drama at Quirino GrandStand

It was a sad and shocking day to our country (Philippines) with the 12hr hostage incident that happened in Quirino Grandstand yesterday. It was around 10:15 in the morning when ex-Police officer Rolando Mendoza ,55 armed with an M16 rifle hitched a ride with a tourist bus with Hong Kong tourist composed of children and adults.Mendoza an ex senior inspector was discharged last year from his job after being accused for robbery, extortion and grave threats from a Manila Hotel Chef. Mendoza claims he is innocent with the said accusation.The situation was calm and the tourist got confused then Mendoza announced that he was taking the travelers hostage to win back his job. While the bus was park around Quirino Grandstand, Mendoza posted leaflets in the demanding for Media and threatens the life of the tourist.

Negotation went well at first as Mendoza freed nine hostages (3 women, 3 children and 2 men) leaving 15 tourist on the bus. Police sealed the area and brought food and fuel to keep the bus air-conditioned. Mendoza asked for his case to be reviewed but there was a delay for it's delivery because of the traffic and when it arrived he rejected it saying it was insufficient. Mendoza's brother Gregorio also a policeman went to the area and tried to talk to his brother. The police is saying that Gregorio is an accessory for this hostage drama so they have decided to bring him to Camp Crame for investigation which angered the hostage taker Mendoza.

After a few hours the bus driver (Filipino) managed to escape and jump off the bus thru the windows and ran away and started screaming that all of the hostage are dead. He was brought to the Police Station for investigation as well. After the driver's statement that the hostage are dead the SWAT team started to surround the bus and started to destroy the windows and doors. The Police had a hard time and maybe because of the rain as well the slowed them down. Exchange of gunfires happened several times and after a while the police was able to open the emergency door at the back and throw a tear gas inside.

Mendoza tried to use the hostage as human shield and tried to gasp for fresh air because of the tear gas that was thrown inside the bus. The snipers got a clear shot and hit Mendoza in the head that killed him. It was tragic ending when the police entered the bus and found 7 dead tourist lying dead on the floor. Hong Kong government was very disappointed with the result of the rescue and issued a warning against travel to the Philippines and cancel tour plans to the Philippines.

* Blue Eagles too much for the Green Archers on Round 2

photo by Diana Moraledo

The Ateneo Blue Eagles bounced back and had there revenge against arch rivals the DLSU Green Archers last Sunday (August 22, 2010) for the second round of the UAAP Men's Seniors Division with the final score 57 - 74. DLSU scored the first baskets and leads with 5 points during the first period and then the Eagles got the momentum with a couple of three pointer from Guard Kirk Long who led the Eagles with 22 points. Halftime end with Ateneo leading around 25 points. The Green Archers had a hard time catching up and it was a different Archers from the first round game.

DLSU 57 – Mendoza 20, Villanueva 7, Andrada 6, Tampus 5, Tolentino 5, Atkins 5, Marata 4, de la Paz 3, Webb 2, Vosotros 0,Paredes 0, Elorde 0, Ferdinand 0, Banal 0.

Ateneo 74 – Long 22, dela Cruz 10, Buenafe 9, Salva 9, Monfort 7, Salamat 6, Golla 6, Austria 3, Escueta 2, Chua 2, Erram 0, Tiongson 0.

* San Pablo, Laguna Trip

Our next and last stop for our weekend getaway after Cagbalete Quezon. SOme of our fellow friends/photographers went home already and 4 of us went to San Pablo to take photos of two of the seven lakes of the town. We first went to Sampaloc Lake which is the biggest lake in San Pablo and which is near the town we saw some bike rentals and the saw some people fishing in the lake. I can say that the lake is not that clean anymore because of the floating dead fish that we saw in the lake. People are friendly in the area. Good thing the weather is fine and the rain has stopped.

Sampaloc Lake

After Sampaloc Lake we rent a tricycle and went to Pandin Lake. It would be a 10-15mins walk befor reaching the Lake. The view is really nice, a lot of people came to visit, some are washing their laundries in the lake and some are taking a bath. Me and my friend tried to take a bath and I can say it's okay to take a bath in the lake but I don't recommend it and there are no CR's to change as well. I take photos afterwards.

Lake Pandin (Panorama Shot)

It was a nice weekends and people in the area is very nice and friendly. Looking forward for the next trip :)

* Cagbalete Island, Quezon Province

After several months since the Ilocos Trip last May I can say finally me and my friends are able to go out, bring out cameras and take photos. Traveling and taking photos of the places that we have been is really one of the best things to do. Anyways for this month the original plan was supposed to be in Caliraya Lake then San Pablo Laguna and we had a change of plans and one of my friends Alex recommended for us to try Cagbalete in Quezon.

arrival at Cagbalete

walk to resort with the local kids

It was my first time going there, after my work I went straight to the bus terminal in Alabang (Lucena Grand Terminal) Air-conditioned bus is not available during the morning so I have no choice but to take the ordinary bus to Lucena. Left Alabang around 5:45am and I arrived Lucena around 9am *phew*. We took a mini bus from Lucena to Mauban Quezon (50 pesos) but we recommend to take van/fx which is faster (60 pesos). Arrived around 11:30am at Mauban Quezon and we went to Gat Uban (Mauba Port) where the boat to Cagbalete Island is located. Take note that the boat from Mauban to Cagbalete is only twice a day 10am and 4pm (40 pesos one way). It would be around 20 minutes ride from Mauban to Cagbalete and people or visitors from other places are called "Bisita/Visitors" in Cagbalete. A group of kids would come in the boat and ask us that they would they us in the resort and some of them would ask to carry our bags but take note it's not free (20-30 bucks/kid). We arrived at Villa Cleofas around lunch time after a 15 minute walk. Owner is really friendly and the low tide view is awesome. We rest for a bit then we took photos of the beach (low tide) and since it was around 12nn - 1pm it was so hot and at the same time we are starving so we decide to go back to the resort and have lunch first.

low tide

We rest for a bit (siesta time) and around afternoon we went to this part where the beach and lake is connected. Take photos of the place and ourselves and around 5am we noticed that it's high tide already.

lake connected to the sea

jump shot :)

We rented a small cottage which is good for I think 10 people. Room has 1 electric fan, 2 "kulambo for mosquito" and 2 bed. I can say it's kinda hot because electricity is gone by 1am and we are only sharing 1 fan. We woke up around 5am to take a photo of the Sunrise, it was nice we are able to capture it but around 5:40am it rains and the moment is gone haha.

Sunrise at Cagbalete

We packed our things after taking photos of the Sunrise. I can say that there is a lot of things to be developed in Cagabalete and a lot of things are limited but I can say I did enjoy going to the island and at least I was able to take a few good photos. Even captured a Rainbow because the rain was on and off during the weekends.

Rainbow

What to expect:
- No electricity so charge your batteries (camera/phone)
- Signal is on/off (Smart and Globe) and no signal for Sun
- Generator is on from 6pm-1am in Villa Cleofas not sure with the other resorts.
- A lot of mosquitoes (bring off lotion)
- Bring your own food, the store is far away from the Resort and the resort only offers Paluto (they will cook your the food for you) and Drinks.

* UFC 117: Silva vs Sonnen

Another Anderson Silva fight and everyone is excited to watch if he will do something spectacular this time compared with his 2 previous fights. I can say UFC 117 is a fun event to watch from start to the main event. From the Roy Nelson and Junior Dos Santos, Matt Hughes and Ricardo Almeda, Alves and Fitch and of course the Main event Silva vs Sonnen. Sonnen is I can say is the trash talkers of all trash talkers but after the fight I can say he can back it up. I thought there would be a new UFC Middleweight Champion after almost dominating all 5 rounds but Anderson Silva caught him with the Triangle Choke making him tap. Everyone is looking forward for the rematch between Silva and Sonnen. I've never seen Anderson Silva getting beaten and dominate only in this fight.

Results *from wikipedia

Preliminary card

Welterweight bout: Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman
Hallman defeated Saunders via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, 29–28).
Heavyweight bout: Stefan Struve vs. Christian Morecraft
Struve defeated Morecraft via TKO (punches) at 0:21 of round 2. This fight was broadcast on PPV following the Guida vs. dos Anjos fight.
Light Heavyweight bout: Tim Boetsch vs. Todd Brown
Boetsch defeated Brown by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).
Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman
Hendricks defeated Brenneman via TKO (punches) at 0:40 of round 2.
Light Heavyweight bout: Phil Davis vs. Rodney Wallace
Davis defeated Wallace via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27).
Welterweight bout: Dustin Hazelett vs. Rick Story
Story defeated Hazelett via TKO (punches) at 1:15 of round 2.

Main card

Heavyweight bout: Roy Nelson vs. Junior dos Santos
dos Santos defeated Nelson via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27).
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
Hughes defeated Almeida via technical submission (modified front headlock) at 3:15 of round 1.
Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Guida defeated dos Anjos via submission (jaw injury) at 1:51 of round 3.
Catchweight bout (171.5 lbs): Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves
Fitch defeated Alves via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
Middleweight Championship bout: Anderson Silva (c) vs. Chael Sonnen
Silva defeated Sonnen via submission (triangle choke) at 3:10 of round 5 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship. This was only one of three fights in UFC history to end in the 5th round. The others were Randy Couture vs. Ricco Rodriguez at UFC 39, and B. J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez at UFC 107.

* FHM August 2010 Issue with Priscilla Meirelles

This would be the first time that Priscilla Meirelles would cover for FHM Philippines. She already covered for other Men's magazine and finally FHM. Priscilla was born September 5, 1983 from Brazil and won the 2004 Miss Earth pageant held in the country.

The August issue is different from the previous FHM issues because of the 3D pages of the magazine. Photos of FHM babes like Angel Locsin, Cristine Reyes, Katrina Halili, Iwa Moto and more from previous issues were featured in the August issue in 3D and the issue comes with the glasses to enjoy and see the 3D effect in the magazine. The issue also featured the Premiere Vixens. The issue also has a gimik guide where the coolest place in the metro is located.

It's my 3rd time meeting Priscilla and I can say she's tall and she's really really nice as always.