Official Google Reader Blog: Square is the new round.

Official Google Reader Blog: Square is the new round.

Entertainment and celebrities

Rihanna arrives for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at Paramount Pictures Studios Lot in Los Angeles on September 7, 2008

Jason Mraz performs in concert, at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre, in Boca Raton, Florida, on December 3, 2005.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 -- Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" is No. 1 on the U.S. record chart this week, Billboard.com reported Thursday.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 is T.I.'s "Live You Life," followed by another Beyonce song, "If I Were a Girl," at No. 3, T.I.'s "Whatever You Like" at No. 4 and Lady GaGa's "Just Dance" featuring Colby O'Donis at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" at No. 6, Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" at No. 7, Pink's "So What" at No. 8, Britney Spears's "Womanizer" at No. 9 and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" at No. 10.
Katy Perry performs in London American singer/guitarist Katy Perry performs at Scala in London on September 24, 2008.

Actress and celebreties

Premiere of "Australia" in New York

Nicole Kidman arrives for the premiere of "Australia" at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York on November 24, 2008.

"Four Christmases" premieres in Los Angeles

Robert Duvall, a cast member in the motion picture comedy "Four Christmases", attends the premiere of the film with his wife Luciana Pedraza at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on November 20, 2008.

2008 American Music Awards in Los Angeles

Steve Tyler and a guest arrives at the 2008 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 23, 2008.

2008 Gemini Awards in Toronto

Actress Sitara Hewitt arrives on the red carpet for the 2008 Gemini Awards at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada on November 28, 2008.

"Pour elle (Anything for Her)" premieres in Paris

Actress Diane Kruger arrives at the French premiere of the film "Pour Elle (Anything for Her)" in Paris on November 30, 2008.

Cover Girl

A cover girl is a woman whose photograph features on the front cover of a magazine. She may be a model, celebrity or entertainer.

Women feature on the cover of the majority of general-interest magazines in the west for both men and women, although there are notable exceptions discussed below.

Celebrities feature on the cover of magazines such as Redbook for women, or Gentlemen's Quarterly, Maxim or Esquire for men. The use of royalty or aristocracy is linked to this: the primary objective is recognition.

Some magazines for women feature an unknown model that represents the style of the magazine, such as Seventeen. A parallel to this trend is reflected in men’s magazines like Men's Fitness or Sports Illustrated.

An intermediate category is the use of a model or supermodel who is recognizable because of their exposure in magazines or advertising, a strategy often adopted by ELLE magazine.

In most cases, the objective is to maximize sales and differentiation, while also expressing the brand values of the title.

In Vietnam the term for a girl found in bars that will go with a client for sexual favours is a cover girl.

Beautiful sexy girl Kim Smith

may refer to:

* Kim Smith (model) (born 1983), American actress and fashion model
* Kim Smith (EastEnders), fictional character on TV soap opera EastEnders
* Kim Smith (basketball) (born 1984), female professional basketball player
* Kim Smith (actor), British actor
* Kim Smith (athlete), New Zealand distance runner
* Kimberley Smith (artist), US artist, sister of Patti Smith

Kimberly Katherine Smith (born March 3, 1983 in Houston, Texas) is an American actress/fashion model. She has appeared in the film Catwoman with Halle Berry, and has modeled for Victoria's Secret and Guess?.

Smith, a graduate of Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, got her big break into modeling when she accompanied a friend to a Model Search of America contest. She was changed from a spectator to a competitor by the head of the contest, and soon after signed with Clipse Management of Dallas. Her face and figure have been featured for Victoria's Secret, Mac and Jac, Abercrombie & Fitch, Harper's Bazaar, and Andrew Marc. Her big break came in the form of two of Paul Marciano's Guess? campaigns in 2000.

Smith has also appeared in several music videos, including *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me," Maroon 5's "Wake Up Call," and Aerosmith's "Girls of Summer". She entered the movie business in 2002 with a cameo in Van Wilder as comely coed Casey, and followed with a small role in 2004's Catwoman as model Drina.

The July 2005 issue of Maxim magazine, which Smith appeared in was dedicated to American troops serving overseas and featured Kim posing with militaria including dog tags and a camouflage hat; the article and pictures are featured in the Girls of Maxim Gallery. The publication named her #91 in its 2006 Hot 100 List.

It was announced that Smith would become the new face of the Italian swimsuit designer Parah and an official spokesperson for the Italian watchmaker Breil in 2006.

In 2007, Smith played a recurring role in the television series Friday Night Lights, which was preceded by a film of the same name about the real-life football team of Smith's old high school, Permian.

She is currently in a relationship with Tyson Ritter

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008.

Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest run by the Miss Universe Organization

The contest was founded in 1952 by California clothing company Pacific Mills. The pageant became part of Kayser-Roth and then Gulf and Western Industries, before being acquired by Donald Trump in 1996.

Alongside with its rival Miss World and Miss Earth contests, this pageant is one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world The current Miss Universe is Dayana Mendoza, from Venezuela.

History

The winner of the "Miss America 1951" pageant, Yolande Betbeze, refused to pose in a swimsuit from its major sponsor, Catalina swimwear. As a result, the brand's manufacturer Pacific Mills withdrew from Miss America and set up the Miss USA and Miss Universe contests. The first Miss Universe Pageant was held in Long Beach, California in 1952. It was won by Armi Kuusela from Finland, who gave up her title to get married to a Filipino tycoon, Virgilio Hilario, shortly before her year was complete. Until 1958 the Miss Universe title (like Miss America) was post-dated, so at the time Ms. Kuusela's title was Miss Universe 1953.

The pageant was first televised in 1955. CBS began nationally broadcasting the combined Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1960 and, separately, from 1965. In 2003 NBC took over the television rights.

The main pageant was held consecutively in the continental US from 1952 to 1971. Since then, the pageant has been held in locales around the world.

Coffee prince

Lead by Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye, Korea’s MBC Channel’s popular drama Coffee Prince broadcasted Episode 17 Finale on the 26th August. Unfortunately, ratings were unable to break 30%, only reaching 27.7%. MBC has already expressed interest in filming a sequel , but because Gong Yoo is enlisting for the army within the year, he may not be able to participate in the sequel.

The night before, Coffee Prince’s actors and staff went to some Charcoal beef restaurant in Seoul for celebration party and to watch the finale together. On the night, bills were paid by female lead, Yoon Eun Hye. She and Gong Yoo both really liked CP, EH said “This drama was natural, simple and honest. On the filming sites, the atmosphere was very relaxed and pleasant/cheerful. Even though I had to cross-dress in the drama, giving up the chance to pretty myself, it was because of my natural dress up that lead to even more love from the public.”

Gong Yoo says: “I never even thought that the drama’s ratings would be able to border 30%, everyone really likes this drama, EH and I both felt that even if ratings performance wasn’t that good, it definitely is an outstanding drama. During my time filming the drama, it never felt like i was going to work, more like going to have fun. It’s been a while since i’ve had fun to this happy extent! So I need to thank EH and the director.” Gong Yoo also announced: “CP might be my last work of art/creation before I serve in the army, even though i’ve already received notice that i’m to enlist in October, but it might get postponed. However, at the lastest, i will still enlist within the year.”

Aside from this, alot of viewers wish for a sequel, even helping the channel in brainstorming ideas - pointing towards YEH’s Eunchan to become the “2nd store”’s boss. MBC also expressed interest in filming a sequel, but because of GY’S enlistment he may not be able to participate.

Bankrupt Celebrities

Hiding behind all the glitz and glamour and what may seem as if odd celebreties are individuals who get bankrupt fairly frequently, although it's also the case that they come through it quite often as well.

This could quite agreeably be the reason behind Clarissa Dickson Wright being bankrupt not once but thrice! It was said that the earliest bit was due to the champagne bill at her mother's funeral!
The list of bankrupt celebreties is extensive and consists of celebreties on all walks of life based on senators to TV stars to football players and movie stars. Often the reason for these bankruptcies is that money is aquired quickly and when the checks arrive in, it does not seem desire they would regularly stop. It's like a dream and many celebreties do not know how to condition with it and accordingly end up in excesses that they can't afford.

Take for instance Kim Basinger who was said of all things to experience bought an entire town! Kim Basinger bought the entire town of Braselton, Georgia for 20 million bucks and after being sued for a breach of contract not easily had to purchase Braselton but also file for bankruptcy.

While in her case it was one principle expense that led to her demise, in cases of most celebreties it is a series of excesses and typical expenses that properties will not afford once their good times end and the checks stop rolling in as they yet did.

Mike Tyson was alleged for instance to need $400,000 a month to maintain his life style but after filing bankruptcy now lives on a modest rented residential structure in Phoenix.

Although it might appear curious the motive why many celebreties go on now spending spree is that they genuinely believe that it is never going to end. Imagine; you are making money and getting a select extent of salary and would think that this is an end less stream of dollars that you will keep to generate in out life. In your situation in normal circumstances it will be true because as you gain undergo and advance in your career your salary will only increase.

However, believe of it from the height of view of a celebrity as they in addition think along the same lines. They furthermore imagine that their earnings will be an endless stream which will not end. Although, what they do not realize is that unlike a normal salaried person this golden period is planning to end and what they are rendering at this time is probably highly skewed and can not stay on rendering it for the rest of their life. This is real for actors as well as athletes. They won't outstandingly expect a 10% raise on what they are rendering till the end of such a life. When money comes and comes in fast, it's difficult for celebreties to think that it are able to ever stop. To these kinds of an extent who they even start ignoring the bad news. For instance an actress might ignore a bad review of her movie when she should probably take stock of it, see if somewhat is wrong and then takes care of it.

The problem of bankrupt celebreties is so acute that it has sprung up an industry of its own with professionals who advise these types of celebreties to manage their wealth and to as good as keep a check on the excesses. These financial tamers watch in the back of their clients and avert them out of buying things that can spin out of control fancy late comedian Rod Hull who bought an Elizabethan Mansion in 1987 for 387,000 pounds and spent one more 500,000 pounds in restoring it. The house was quickly repossessed as he faced huge tax debt and was in a problem that he couldn't quite control.

While celebreties may continuing to add a tiny bit glitz to what is indeed a dark problem, one must still be in mind this there are lessons to be learned from them and like them we also feel the need to indulge in excesses too often. While indulgence is not bad and may even be necessary some times, be absolute that you do not end up in somewhat that becomes disease covet and larger amount of than that be careful so you don't spend on something the requires monthly pay checks. What was more than likely a 20 million dollars town to Kim Basinger could well be a 100,000 dollars sports car for you!

How Often Do You Promote Others

My favorite bloggers aren’t who you might expect. I love Glenda Watson Hyatt. I love Jon Swanson. I love Marti Lawrence. I think Ann Handley and Shannon Paul are excellent reads, too.

None of these bloggers are on your typical Top 10, but they’re people I read nonstop. I want YOU to read them, too. Not all of them will be your cup of tea, maybe. But they’re voices that deserve more attention than the stuff I write on a given day.

In our space, in the fishbowl business, it seems like there are a scant few people getting all the links and the references. We point to the folks on top of the charts all the time, and riff off their ideas.

Wouldn’t it be more cool if we found the less-known? Wouldn’t it be better if we collected some of our favorites into “starter packs” of interesting content we should be reading/watching/listening to?

And furthermore, even amongst the bigger names, how often are you sharing the good stuff other people are doing? I’ll tell you who’s on top of the heap who shares a lot: Robert Scoble. He points me to new stuff all the time, both on his blog, but very much in his Google Reader Shared Items.

So, my question to you: are you sharing and promoting others enough? Can you do it more? How can you bring more awareness of the people who deserve it?

Miss asia arizona pageant

miss universe 2008

Elisa Najera Miss Mexico Universe 2008


Venezuela gana el Miss Universo 2008


Venezuela gana el Miss Universo 2008

The Miss USA beauty contest

The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA. The reigning Miss USA is Crystle Stewart, formerly Miss Texas USA, who was crowned in Las Vegas on April 11, 2008 by Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007.

History The Miss USA pageant was conceived in 1950 when Yolande Betbeze, winner of the rival Miss America pageant refused to pose in swimwear provided by sponsor Catalina Swimwear. Catalina decided to pull their sponsorship off the pageant, and create their own competition. Other owners have included a subsidiary of Gulf+Western Industries, ITT Corporation, and billionaire Donald Trump, the current owner who bought the pageant in 1996. The first Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants were held concurrently in Long Beach, California in 1952; the first Miss USA winner was Miss New York USA Jackie Loughery. There were thirty delegates in the first year of competition, and many states did not compete every year during the first two decades of the pageant's history. From the 1970s, each state and the District of Columbia have sent a delegate each year. Alaska first competed in 1959 and Hawaii in 1960. Both had competed at Miss Universe until this time. The pageant aired on CBS from 1963 until 2002, and for many years was known for having a CBS game show host as pageant host. John Charles Daly hosted the show from 1963-1966, Bob Barker from 1967 until 1987, Dick Clark from 1989-1993, and Bob Goen from 1994-1996. The show's highest ratings were in the early 1980s, when it regularly topped the Neilsen ratings.[5][6][7] Viewership dropped sharply from the 1990s to the 2000s, from an estimated viewership of 20 million to an average of 7 million from 2000-2001.[8] In 2002 owner Donald Trump brokered a new deal with NBC, giving them half-ownership of the Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA and moving them to NBC on an initial five year contract. The pageants were first shown on NBC in 2003. Historically, the winner of the Miss USA title has represented the United States in its sister Miss Universe pageant. From its inception to 2008, seven Miss USA titleholders have gone on to win Miss Universe. In the mid-1960s, it was established when a Miss USA wins the Miss Universe title, the first runner-up assumes the Miss USA title for the remainder of the year. This has happened in 1980, 1995 and 1997. In 1967, the first runner-up declined the title and the crown went to the second runner-up Cheryl Patton. The only instance where a first runner-up assumed the title of Miss USA prior to this period was in 1957 when Mary Leona Gage resigned when it was discovered she was married. Unlike the Miss America pageant, there is no talent section at Miss USA.

Delegates are required to compete in Evening Gown, Swimsuit, and Interview. The modern pageant consists of a preliminary competition, held in the week before the pageant where all contestants are judged in swimsuit, gown, and interview. From this the semi-finalists are chosen, and they are announced during the live broadcast of the final competition. Semi-finalists then compete in swimsuit and evening gown, before some are eliminated and the interview competition is held. The runners-up and winner are announced at the end of the telecast. The judges for the finals are usually different from those who judged the Preliminary competition. From 1975-2000, all delegates who made the initial cut competed in an interview competition in some format, often involving all semi-finalists. As of 2001, this interview portion was taken away and leaving only the "final question" for the top five delegates to answer. The finals judges thus only hear the final candidates speak. From 1979-2002, the average scores of each delegate were shown on the television broadcast and thus the semi-finalists could be ranked. This was changed in 2003 to a "circle" system where judges choose a certain number of delegates to "circle", and those with the most "circles" make the cut. This was the same system that was used prior to the "computer" scoring system implemented in 1979. State Competitions Every year, each state holds a preliminary competition to choose their delegate for the Miss USA pageant. In some states (such as Texas and Florida), local pageants are also held to determine delegates for the state competition. The state winners hold the title "Miss State USA" for the year of their reign. The most successful state is Texas, which has had the most semi-finalists and winners, including five consecutive Miss USA titleholders during the 1980s. Other successful states California, New York, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

The least successful states are Montana, which has not placed since the 1950s; Wyoming, which has had only one placement, in the 1980s; and Delaware, the only state that has never placed. The only state which has produced more than one Miss Universe is South Carolina. The Miss Universe Organization licenses out the state pageants to pageant directors, who in some cases are responsible for more than one state. The most well established directorial groups are RPM Productions, created in 1980 (Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina), and Vanbros, created in the early 1990s (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma), both of which have been in existence since the early 1990s. Future Productions direct the most states, six, across the midwest and Rockies. Winners Julie Hayek after winning the Miss USA 1983 title The first Eurasian woman to win Miss USA was Mai Shanley in 1984, and the first African-American to win was Carole Gist in 1990.

Brandi Sherwood is the only woman to have held both the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA titles. She was Miss Idaho Teen USA, Miss Teen USA 1989, Miss Idaho USA 1997, first runner-up at Miss USA 1997 and in May 1997 assumed the Miss USA title after Brook Lee won the Miss Universe pageant.[11] Eight other Miss USA titleholders have also previously competed at Miss Teen USA. These include: Shanna Moakler (1995), (Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1992), Ali Landry (1996), (Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1990), Kimberly Pressler (1999) (Miss New York Teen USA 1994), Lynnette Cole (2000) (Miss Tennessee Teen USA 1995), Susie Castillo (2003) (Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1998), Chelsea Cooley (2005) (Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2000), Tara Conner (2006) (Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2002) and Rachel Smith (2007)

(Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2002). Five Miss USA titleholders have also competed at Miss America. These included Miss USAs 1954-1956 (Miriam Stevenson, Carlene King Johnson, Carol Morris), Mai Shanley (1984) and Shandi Finnessey (2004). All were unplaced Miss America, although Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004 and Miss Missouri 2002 won a preliminary evening gown award at Miss America 2003. Many Miss USA winners have gone to careers in the entertainment industry. Those who have been successful in the industry include Summer Bartholomew, Laura Martinez Herring, Shanna Moakler, Ali Landry, Brandi Sherwood, Susie Castillo and Shandi Finnessey

BORACAY.... BEST VACATION SPOT WHERE SEXY CHICKS AND HOTTEST HUNK GATHER

WHAT IS bORACAY? WHere is BORACAY?

What and Where is BORACAY?

Boracay

The palm-studded island of Boracay - with its white, talcum-fine beach, balmy weather and warm, crystalline waters - is like a hypnotic magnet that lures many to a lotus existence. In this tiny, butterfly-shaped island at the northwestern tip of Panay in Western Visayas, days can be spent by simply lazing on the beach and nights are for indulging in the tropical party lifestyle. Boracay is an anchor tourist destination and one of the 7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago.

Barefoot in the Beach

The code in Boracay is strictly informal.

There is an undeniable easy atmosphere in Boracay where walking barefoot than shod is the rule rather than the exception. White Beach is so, soooo fine, it feels like treading on miles of baby powder! No wonder, even swinging discos have the beach for a floor, giving dance a new twist. There are no hang-ups either in this island. At daytime, tourists having a soothing massage under the shade of a coconut tree beside the shoreline is a common sight. And from dusk to dawn, Boracay turns into one big party place where everyone is welcome to join in...But first, let's toast that sunset cocktail!

Diversions are certainly no problem in this tropical eden with leisure activities calendared throughout the year and amenities offered by some 350 tourist establishments.

A Little Bit of Daring

For the adventure-driven, "Mambo Number 5" is a little bit of boating and wind surfing, a little bit of scuba diving, a little bit of trekking, a little bit of mountain biking, and a little bit of golf. There's plenty to do in Boracay other than beachbumming and partyhopping. On the eastern side of the island is Bulabog Beach, a boardsailor's mecca that draws enthusiasts from all over the world, especially during the peak season of November to March. In January, it is the site of an International Funboard Cup.

Sailboating and kayaking are popular sporting activities, with Boracay playing host to the annual Paraw Regatta, an international sailboat race that makes use of the native outrigger. Dive sites surround the island and are learning venues to both novice and professional divers, guided by competent instructors of the many dive shops that operate in the area.

Trekking or mountain biking can also bring the intrepid to the island's quaint interior villages and to the edges' scenic rocky cliffs, discovering along the way many hidden coves with isolated beaches far from the tourist crowd.

And for golf bugs, Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Countryclub has an 18-hole championship course.

Hala Bira! Let Go!

January is the time to hang loose in the "Land of the Atis." Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, is the gateway to Boracay. Every second weekend of January, it celebrates the Ati-Atihan Festival where frenzied streetdancing is performed by costumed and black-sooted "tribes" as they wend through the main streets from dawn till the witching hours.

The Ati-Atihan is celebrated for three days and commemorates the 13th-century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Santo Niño.

To the accompaniment of hundreds of lyres and drums, merrymakers throw all inhibitions to the wind as they join the tribes in a mad jig punctuated by rhythmic shouts of: "Hala bira! Puera pasma! Hala bira! Viva Santo Niño!" (Loosely translated, means: "Let go! Don't get sick! Let go! Hail the Holy Child!")

Kalibo is also famous for its handloom weaving industry where fine silken fabrics are produced from the fibers of the piña (pineapple) and abaca plants.

Island Flavors

The taste of the region is simple with charbroiled chicken as common fare. Another favorite dish is raw fish marinated in spicy vinegar.

Dining, however, is no problem in Boracay with most resorts having their own restaurants that serve both Filipino and international cuisines. Small snack bars and fastfood outlets line the island.

Warm Hospitality

Filipinos do not simply provide the guest with a place to rest or park their luggage, they also share the best of what they have. This warm, effusive brand of hospitality is what distinguishes Philippine hotels from the others. Resorts in Boracay range from the posh "AAA" to the more tailored "SIR" (special interest resort).

"AAA"

CLUB PANOLY RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883134/2883011 LORENZO VILLAS Telephone (6336) 2883513

"AA"

BORACAY REGENCY Telephone (6336) 2886111/2886777 BORACAY SANDCASTLES BEACH RETREAT Telephone (6336) 2883207 CRYSTAL SAND BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883149 FRIDAY'S BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2886200 LAGUNA DE BORACAY RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883603 LORENZO MAIN BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883808/2883204 LORENZO SOUTH BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883810/2883402 PARADISE GARDEN RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883411 PINK PATIO BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883999 SEA WIND BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883425 WALING-WALING RESORT Telephone (6336) 2885555/2883773 WILLY'S BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883151 ALYSSA BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883102

"A"

ANGOL POINT Telephone (6336) 2883107 B & B BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883225 BORACAY IMPERIAL Telephone (6336) 2883506 BORACAY WHITE BEACH TERRACES RESORT Telephone (6336)2884000 CASA PILAR BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883202 COCOMANGAS BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883409 ISLAND GARDEN COTTAGES Telephone (6336) 2883161 JONY'S PLACE Telephone (6336) 2883119 LA ISLA BONITA Telephone (6336) 2883501 MILFLORES DE BORACAY Telephone (6336) 2883363 MONA LISA BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883205 NIGI NIGI NU NOOS Telephone (6336) 2883101 NIKKO'S PLACE Telephone (6336) 2883324/2883411 PEARL OF THE PACIFIC Telephone (6336) 2883220/2883962 QUEENS BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883045 RAIN FOREST RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883412 SEA BIRD INTERNATIONAL RESORT Telephone (6336) 28883045 3-5-7 BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883478/2283473 TITAY'S SOUTH BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883407/2883623 T&T Telephone (6336) 2883165

"SIR"

BAYVIEW HILLS & SNACK BAR Telephone (6336) 2883379 FLOREMAR RESTAURANT AND COTTAGES Telephone (6336) 2883601 G.P.'s COTTAGES Telephone (6336) 2883139 MARZON BEACH RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883131 THE MOUNTAIN RESORT SANDERSWHITE DUPLEXES Telephone (6336) 2883123 SURF SIDE RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883324 TONGLEN HOMES RESORT Telephone (6336) 2883457

7,000 Times More Surprises

Discover the 7,000 times more surprises that await you beyond Boracay.

CAPIZ. The island-province of Capiz, on the northeastern part of Panay Island, is the birthplace of the fifth president of the Philippine Republic, Manuel Roxas. It is known as a Seafood Basket with its bountiful harvest of milkfish, lobster and other shellfish.

Among its attractions are the centuries-old coral churches of Panay and Dumalag. The islands of Napti and Olutaya are ideal for both snorkeling and diving. Spelunking is also favored as an activity for the adventure-driven, with a choice of caves to explore in the different towns: Quipot in Mambusao, Igang in Maayon, Suhot in Dumalag and Badiang in Dumarao.

The capital city of Roxas hosts the Halaran Festival every first weekend of October. The festival re-enacts the purchase of Panay by the 10 Bornean chieftains from the aboriginal Atis. It is highlighted by streetdancing to the beat of drums and a gift-giving ritual to the spirit gods as performed by the babaylanes, or "witch doctors."

ILOILO. Iloilo province on the southeastern part of Panay Island is known for its gentry living as showcased by its many colonial churches and mansions scattered throughout its landscape.

Iloilo City alone is a living testimonial to the province's rich cultural heritage. At the city proper, the landmarks include: Museo Iloilo, Muelle Loney at the city port, Fort San Pedro, a popular evening promenade at the waterfront, and Plaza Libertad. Arevalo has fine 19th century mansions, looms that weave jusi and piña, and flower nurseries. Jaro is the residential center of the elite who, to this day, maintain their grand ancestral homes in tip-top condition.

Each town along the coast west of the city has its own centuries-old church. Tigbauan has a Baroque facade, Guimbal's is made of yellow sandstone, and San Joaquin's, of white coral. But the most impressive is the grand Miag-ao Church which is inscribed in the World Heritage List. The towns east of the city lead to Estancia, the gateway to the cluster of islands off northeast Panay.

Iloilo hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, the most popular of which are: Dinagyang, Iloilo's version of Aklan's Ati-Atihan, celebrated on the third weekend of January; the Feast of Our Lady of Candles every February 2 in Jaro; the Paraw Regatta held every third Sunday of February in the strait between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island; Pasungay, or the Festival of Bulls, in San Joaquin every second Saturday off January; and the Carabao Race in Pavia every May 3.

ROMBLON. The island-province of Romblon is a cluster of 20 islands lying practically at the center of the Philippine archipelago. Its three main islands are: Romblon, Tablas and Sibuyan.

In the capital town of Romblon is found the 16th century St. Joseph's Cathedral which was built by the Recollect Fathers and features a Byzantine altar, stained-glass windows, and an extensive collection of religious antiquities. Perched on top of a hill is the old Spanish Fort San Andres which is now used as a weather station.

In Tablas is found the main pier and airport. It boasts many fine beaches and magnificent waterfalls spread out in several towns. In the town of Calatrava is the massive Oregon Rock, two black boulders that stand guard at the entrance of Romblon Pass.

Sibuyan Island is dominated by Mount Guiting-Guiting, the highest peak in the province at 2,057 meters. Its rugged terrain is a challenge to trekkers. At the southernmost part of the province is Carabao Island, also known as the town of San Jose, said to have the most beautiful beaches in all of Romblon.

Planning Your Trip

Boracay is accessible by plane and boat from Manila and Cebu City via Panay Island. Alternative routes are from the island-provinces of Mindoro and Romblon in Luzon.

There are several daily flights from Manila to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan, which are fielded by Philippines Airlines, Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and Asian Spirit. From Kalibo, airconditioned coaster, coaches and vans are available for the 1 ½ -hour ride to Caticlan, the jump-off point to Boracay. There are frequent ferry service from the three docks at the north, middle and south ends of the island to White Beach in Boracay.

During the high season, flights to Kalibo are often fully booked. Alternative flight destinations are Tablas Island in Romblon, Roxas City in east Panay and Iloilo City in southwest Panay.

The cheaper route is by ship departing from North Harbor in Manila for Dumaguit/ New Washington at the north coast of Panay then by public bus or jeepney to Caticlan or by airconditioned shuttle bus from Kalibo Airport. These trips are offered by WG & A Superferry, Moreta Shipping Lines and Negros Navigation.

By plane:

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES Telephone (632) 8558888/8559999 AIR PHILIPPINES Telephone (632) 8437770 CEBU PACIFIC Telephone (632) 6364938 to 45 ASIAN SPIRIT Telephone (632) 8403811 to 16

By ship:

WG & A SUPERFERRY Telephone (632) 8943211/8932211 NEGROS NAVIGATION Telephone (632) 2435359/2450601 MORETA SHIPPING LINE Telephone (632)7216480/7214066

The Philippines is accessible from the travel capitals of the world. Traveling time to Manila from Hong Kong is an hour and 50 minutes; from Singapore, 3 hours and 10 minutes; from Bangkok, 3 hours and 50 minutes; Tokyo, 4 hours and 15 minutes; Sydney, 10 hours and 20 minutes; London, 20 hours and 45 minutes; Paris, 21 hours and 15 minutes; Frankfurt, 19 hours and 40 minutes; San Francisco, 16 hours and 15 minutes; Los Angeles, 15 hours and 20 minutes; and New York, 25 hours and 20 minutes.

to know more http://mainglobe.com/club-ultima/boracay/

Japanese Days of the Week

Learning the Japanese phrases for things we see and use everyday is a great way to get to learning Japanese.

Early Japanese society revolved all over nature, agriculture and religion so naturally many references to such can be found in Japanese words. Many other languages, along with English, also contain words from the distant beyond so we can often find standard links that can service us learn and remember Japanese words.

Take for model the Japanese names for days of the week. In Japanese, all of these words relate to things that can be found in nature and were considered important in peoples' livlihoods in the distant past. The key words are the Japanese words for sun, moon, fire, water, wood, earth, gold and earth.

Sunday is the Sun's day, easily similar to in English, The Japanese word for sun is “nichi”. Monday, similarly, is the Moon's day. The Japanese word for moon is “getsu”. Tuesday is fire day. The Japanese word for fire is “ka”. Wednesday is water day. The Japanese word for water is “sui”. Thursday is wood day. The Japanese word for wood is “moku”. Friday is the golden day. The Japanese word for gold is “kin”. Saturday is earth day. The Japanese word for earth is “dou”.

In English each day's and cr ends in “day”. Japanese day names also hold the same ending - “youbi”. Youbi means "day" of the week.

So here's our comprehensive enter of Japanese days of the week:

Sunday - Nichi-youbi Monday - Getsu-youbi Tuesday - Ka-youbi Wednesday - Sui-youbi Thursday: Moku-youbi Friday - Kin-youbi Saturday - Dou-youbi

Have you always been wanting to go Japan but were worried that you am able to not appreciate a single word? Are you able to speak Japanese with your Japanese friends, colleagues or clients? Are you going to strive in Japan? You idea of learning how to speak Japanese but due to your busy schedule, you do not have the while to learn. You may have sympathy who learning to speak Japanese can be time consuming, difficult and expensive. Do you know you will be able to speak and can appreciate basic Japanese in two months time if you are serious in learning how to speak Japanese.

Learning a new language can a challenging task. To totally understand the theory and culture of Japanese is also amazing. So, if you want to speak Japanese language in two cycles time, you look for to prepare a few things.

- A good Japanese language guide that include translation, transcript, audio and basis of Japanese culture.
- Set aside particularlly time to learn Japanese any day.
- A Japanese serial drama.

To really understand the Japanese language, you need to set nearly an hour of time aside everyday. This is to generate you understand the Japanese Culture and learning the affirmative ways to speak and produce Japanese. When you learn Japanese blabber on your own, you may meet up surrounded by selected difficulties in remembering or understanding the words.

Hence, being able to get some allow from some Japanese teachers, natives or friends would greatly let to right your ways of learning how to speak Japanese. After a month of learning, you is able to start to watch Japanese serial drama in this language, find those with subtitles that you can understand. If possible, you can get a few friends to learn together so that all of you will be able to motivate and practise speaking Japanese language provided every other.

A Guide To Japanese Gardens

Ready for something different in your garden? Take a give the impression at Japanese bridges. These beautiful ornamental bridges shoot the Far East right into your back yard or garden.

Japanese bridges add elegance to gardens and give the impression beautiful when placed over a koi pond or Japanese style dry river bed. There are many flowers, shrubs and trees such a compliment Japanese bridges also.

If you are interested in Japanese bridges for your garden you may want to look online for ideas and suggestions. There are excellent sites that not only feature the bridges but have information throughout planning an entire garden space in the Japanese style.

Many of the designs for these Japanese bridges are taken from ancient drawings. The Japanese bridges are graceful and unique. Place a Japanese bridge in your garden and create a space to meditate, a quiet neighborhood for contemplation and dreaming. These are just a few of the benefits of having a Japanese bridge.

You might want to begin planning a Japanese bridge by surveying the space you have to work with. Make assured the Japanese bridge is the correct size. The Japanese bridge may not look as lovely as it should if it is too big or too compressed for the area. Think carefully right about the other things you will have in the space. You will want to coordinate the flowers, trees and any a multitude of ornamental elements you guidelines to use. If you experience a pond you may need to determine the best Japanese bridge for the pond.

Plan carefully and you will be able to add a little Oriental flair to your yard even if you live in New York City!

Miss Japan Is Miss Universe 2007

In Miss Universe 2006, Japan´s Kurara Chibana was a big favourite until endure second by experts and journalists. However, Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera, was crowned Miss Universe.There were protests in many strange countries (Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, Sweden and Peru). John Steward said, “Kurara Chibana was beautiful in a very real, acutely natural way. More importantly, she was multi-dimensional, beauty balanced by intelligence and depth”. Carolina Lopez said: “Miss Japan was robbed. Japan was awesome!! I am not Japanese but I understand the translator did not do a magnificent job”.

Miss Japan 2006 could not win the Miss Universe. It was a very unhappy day for Kurara Chibana. She did not like remembering it. However, her countrywoman won the Miss Universe in 2007.

Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, was elected Miss Universe in the 56th Annual Pageant help in Mexico City, Mexico´s capital. She was crowned Miss Universe 2007 by Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico. Under the leadership of Inés Ligron, a Frenchwoman, Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, was the second body based on what i read in Japan to win the Miss Universe. In 1959, Akiko Kojima, a model from Tokyo, was crowned Miss Universe.

Miss Universe 2007 was born on December 24, 1986, in Shizuoka, Japan. Like Janelle “Penny” Commissiong (Miss Trinidad & Tobago and Miss Universe 1977), she lived in North American. She studied ballet in Canada. She speaks three foreign languages.Her primary interests are travelling , meeting new everyone and experiencing unusual cultures. However, she is passionate up dancing.Ms.Mori is a qualified dancer. Like Paloma Herrera, Zhandra Rodriguez and Maria Tallchief, she loves dancing. Miss Japan and Miss Universe 2007 once said, “Definitely dancing! I have continued dancing from the time I was 4 years old. I still have my beforehand pair of ballet shoes that I remain as a memory of my several ages and passion for dancing…”

Her dream is to open a dance school in Tokyo. “My mother runs a successful dance class outside of Tokyo and we plan to expand my family´s love for the performing arts by opening an global dance school in Tokyo, the capital of Japan and a crossroads for many cultures…”, Riyo Mori said to judges. “Opening my own school plans to allow me to dwell and teach my passion for dancing while being an independent businesswoman”, added Miss Japan 2007.

Like Miss Universe 2007, she will participate in a photo put with Fadil Barisha, one of the best photographers in the world. Furthermore, Ms.Mori will travel to Indonesia, India, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Russia, Dominican Republic and the People`s Republic of China.She serves to be in the United States to attend the Miss USA Teen 2007. Furtermore, Miss Universe 2007 meet in on various politicians, leaders, and human rights activists to discuss the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

HISTORY: JAPAN IN MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT

1953:Long Beach, California. Miss Japan, Kinuko Ito, was the 2nd runner-up…

1955:Long Beach, California. Miss Japan,Keiko Takahashi , was the 4th runner-up…

1957: Long Beach, California. Japan´s Kyoko Otani qualified for the semi-finals.

1958:Long Beach, California. Miss Japan, Tomoko Moritaki, qualified for the semi-finals.

1959:Long Beach, California. Miss Japan, Akiko Kojima, was crowned Miss Universe.

1960:Miami Beach, Florida.Miss Japan,Yayoi Foruno, specialized for the semi-finals.

1963:Miami Beach, Florida. Japan´s Noriko Ando qualified for the semi-finals.

1969: Miami Beach, Florida. Miss Japan, Kikuyo Osuda, was the 4th runner-up

1970: Miami Beach, Forida.Miss Japan, Jun Shimada, was the 3rd runner –up…

1971: Miami Beach, Florida. Miss Japan, Shigeo Taketoni, qualified for the semi-finals.

1972:Puerto Rico. Miss Japan, Hami Maeda, expert for the semi-finals-

1973:Greece. Miss Japan, Miyoko Sometani, qualified for the semi-finals.

1975:El Salvador. Miss Japan, Sachiko Nakayama, was semi-finalist.

1988:Taiwán. Japan´s Mizuko Sakaguchi was 3rd

runner-up…

2003:Panama. Miss Japan was one of the favorites. Japan´s Miyako Miyazaki was the 3rd runner-up.

2006:Los Angeles, California. Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana, was the 1st runner-up.She was a big favourite until last second.

2007: Japan´s Riyo Mori was the second woman from Japan to win the Miss Universe title.