Tagum City is Palarong Pambansa 2015 venue

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After careful deliberation, officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) have selected Tagum City, Davao del Norte to host the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. 

The city beat out five other bidders – Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Koronadal City, Lanao del Norte province, and CARAGA region.

Before announcing the results of the vote, Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC asked for the support of the cities that were not selected. 

“This is a vote for Mindanao. This year we were surprised at the number of bidders. We hope that we still have your support.”

When asked what he expected from the host Luistro replied, “The only thing we need to expect is for Tagum to deliver.” He added, “Ang maganda sa Tagum ay mukhang handa na ang lahat. Hindi na kailangan pa ng dagdag na buwang preparasyon.”

The Palarong Pambansa is held in May with hosting duties rotating yearly among the island groups.

Competitive bidding

Months before the official presentation, DepEd and Philippine Sports Commission officials inspected each venue to see if the facilities and billeting areas are adequate. PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez reported to the body the rating system that they used, which included international standards, distance from the main complex, power supply, and security, among others. DepEd’s Schools Sports Events and Activities Unit Head Cesar Abalon reported on the status of the billeting areas, which are evaluated based on the adequacy of rooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas and medical provisions.

Based on the criteria, Tagum City garnered the highest points. According to Gomez, the local government had already upgraded its facilities, which were used to host PSC’s Batang Pinoy competitions in 2013.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Ricardo Garcia congratulated all the bidders. “I am impressed with the way everyone conducted themselves. The PSC will definitely consider one of you to host Batang Pinoy and our other events in 2015.”

Palarong Pambansa Law

Palarong Pambansa 2015 will be the first national games to be held under the Palarong Pambansa Law (RA 10588) signed May 27, 2014, which mandates the creation of a Palarong Pambansa Board as the lead policy-making and coordinating body for the preparation and conduct of the games. The Board shall be composed of the DepEd Secretary as Chairperson, a DepEd Undersecretary, two (2) DepEd Assistant Secretaries, the Chairman of the PSC, the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Sam Concepcion opens new year with ‘Teka Break’

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Young performer Sam Concepcion welcomes 2015 with the release of his newest single “Teka Break,” a Jungee Marcelo composition. This new song is Sam’s follow-up to his back-to-back-to-back hits – “No Limitations,” “Mahal na Mahal,” and “Dati.”

Before the end of 2014, Sam was awarded numerous record awards – Gold Record for his latest album “Infinite,” double platinum for single “Dati,” and platinum for single “Mahal Na Mahal.”

“The past year has been very good to me as a recording artist,” says Sam. “This is my ‘good vibes’ song to everyone, so that we can welcome 2015 with positivity.”

Sam expresses gratitude to master composer Jungee Marcelo for entrusting to him this catchy, positive song.

The music video of “Teka Break” will premiere on MYX next week.

“Teka Break” is part of the compilation album “Transforming Love,” and will soon be a part of Sam’s upcoming album, set for release this mid-2015.

“Teka Break” will also be available on various music sites.

Lyrics of “Teka Break:”

TEKA BREAK

Verse1:

Bad trip ang gising mo,
 Para bang ang haba-haba pa ng araw
 Pag inip ang feeling mo,
 Para bang ang bagal-bagal pa ng oras, now...

Pre-chorus:

Wag ka nang mag-alala
 Musika ang kasama
 Gaganda pag may kanta
 Eto na, game naaaa.. halika tena

Chorus:

TEKA, TAKE A BREAK
5 & 6 & 7, 8
 TEKA MUNA, TAKE A BREAK TEKA, TAKE A BREAK
 SIGE NA FOR GOODNESS SAKE YAWSA MUNA, TAKE A BREAK

Vamp:

TEKA 
OOH TEKA BREAK
 TEKA 
OOH TEKA, BREAK KA, TEKA TEKA
 OOH TEKA BREAK
 TEKA
OOH TEKA BREAK!

Verse2:

OOTD ang smile
 at sabay sa pag-tapik sa bawat tiempo
 I know it’s been a while
 nung huling humataw ka sa bawat step mo

Pre-chorus:

Wag ka nang mag-alala
 Musika ang kasama
 Gaganda pag may kanta
 Eto na, game naaaa..halika tena

Rap:

Tic toc, pop & lock
 Boogie to the goody good love
 Tic toc, pop & lock,
Doobee to the shoobeedoowop
Bigyan ng sapat na pasasalamat
 Tingin sa taas, tingala sa bawat
 Pagpapala’t mga biyaya
 Sabay sa sayaw kapag niyaya,... yeah! ... halika tena

How many people face infertility?

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Infertility can be a difficult situation for couples.

According to Diaperchamp.com about 10 to 15% of couples in the United States are facing infertility.

There were times we were holding counseling, and prayer meetings among us friends, especially couples. Married couples opening and sharing their life activities and happenings, even family and personal problems. And we had one couple friend, as 5 year - married don't have kids. I still thinking of what to say, to advice what to do to be pregnant, to have kids. I just tell them to be happy with partners in life even without children. 

We continued to pray and told them both to try to stay positive, I am sure that everything happens for a reason, and it will happen in God’s time.

There were members among us, knows medical subjects, gives advices to them, sometimes, one-on-one. Actually, up to now, I didn't know what the real score, meaning who among them, the man or the woman has a medical problem, as they were facing Infertility. 

How many people face Infertility? 

First, what Infertility means? Is infertility a common problem? Is infertility just a woman's problem? Or couple's or partners, man's and woman's?

Some say that infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying.

The World Health Organization defines infertility

“

Infertility is “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse (and there is no other reason, such as breastfeeding or postpartum amenorrhoea). Primary infertility is infertility in a couple who have never had a child. Secondary infertility is failure to conceive following a previous pregnancy. Infertility may be caused by infection in the man or woman, but often there is no obvious underlying cause.    ”

In general, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year of unprotected sex. Women who do not have regular menstrual cycles, or are older than 35 years and have not conceived during a 6-month period of trying.

One of the main causes of infertility in women is anovulation. 

Anovulation is a condition where a woman’s ovary is not producing eggs, making it difficult to conceive. One of the main reasons for anovulation is stress. 

Stress causes hormonal imbalance, especially the hormones responsible to stimulate ovulation.

On the other hand, low sperm count and sperm motility is the leading cause of infertility in men. Men need to be able to make sure they take care of their sperm by avoiding smoking and taking lesser alcohol. Hot tubs and saunas are also known as sperm killers and men should avoid these as much as possible.

If both partners are young and healthy and have been trying to conceive for one year without success, a visit to a counselor, physician could help to highlight potential medical problems earlier rather than later. They may also be able to suggest lifestyle changes to increase the chances of conceiving.

Both, partners in life may consider making an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist—an infertility specialist. These doctors may also be able to help women with recurrent pregnancy loss—2 or more spontaneous miscarriages. 

Carmudi reshapes online car buying

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With online shopping being the trend nowadays, more and more websites have emerged over the Internet. But only some guaranteed and dished out positive results. One of which is Carmudi

Carmudi, the leading vehicle platform around the world, has recently tapped the Philippine automotive scene in providing buyers, sellers, and car dealers an opportunity to experience safe and convenient online transaction.

Carmudi Philippines—through its website http://www.carmudi.com.ph—has been generating positive leads for potential car buyers and sellers in the country since it started January 2014. The website currently has close to 25,000 vehicles in its inventory spanningfrom cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles; brand new or used.

According to Subir Lohani, managing director of Carmudi Philippines, “Having the most number of listings is not the main thing that defines Carmudi.com.ph and Carmudi in general. We look on the quality of listings and value of proposition that we offer both buyers and sellers of vehicles that defines us.”

Lohani explained, “We envision Carmudi Philippines to become a complete one-stop shop for anything vehicle related such as loans, finding an auto repair shop, tips and tricks for your car, and more. Cars are essentially a lifestyle product. Whether it be the brand, model, make, or color, it tells about your individual personality so Carmudi must also evolve into a lifestyle product which we are in process of doing.”

Lohani also shared, “Our search functionality is one of the most important things that differentiates us from the traditional classifieds and online general classifieds. As a dedicated vehicle platform, we realized that buyers want to have the ability to search with certain parameters for their dream cars.”

The company prides itself on how both buyers and sellers will experience customer satisfaction by looking on the complete data list of each vehicle from multiple pictures, descriptions, identifications, and even on the details of map of dealership.

“Being online and having a mobile app has a definite advantage as prospective buyers of vehicles can quickly search with a few swipes of a screen on the go anytime they have a few minutes. Furthermore, once the user sees a vehicle that they are interested in, they can directly sms, email, or call the dealer directly through our online and mobile platforms, which improves efficiency in the overall process,” adds Lohani.

Globally, Carmudi has 250,000 up-to-date listings, 9,000 of which are vehicle dealers. Through Carmudi.com.ph, individual vehicle owners can list their vehicles on the platform, while professional sellers can list their vehicles through the platform and receive professional support on how to present themselves and their offerings.C

Carmudi was originally founded in Berlin, Germany in 2013 under the Rocket Internet Group, who also ventures company such as Zalora, Easy Taxi, Lazada, PricePanda, Lamido, Lamudi, and Tripda.

Watch out for 3 Kapamilya series-"Flordeliza," "Oh My G!"and "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita" debut on Jan. 19

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ABS-CBN celebrates "Thank You Day"  on January 19 with the premiere of three drama series -  "Flordeliza," "Oh My G!"and "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita." 

The thank you day celebrations including the much-awaited reunion of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal via "Flordeliza". The soap opera by Wenn Deramas centers on the friendship between two girls, Flor (Ashley Sarmiento) and Liza (Rhed Bustamante), who discover that they have the same father, Crisanto (Agustin).

When his secret unravels, the military officer faces the decision of choosing between his clueless partners -- Florida (Magdangal) and Elizabeth (Desiree del Valle) -- and his respective children with each.

"Flordeliza" will join ABS-CBN's Kapamilya Gold lineup, with a 3 p.m. time slot after "It's Showtime." The noontime variety show will be preceded by another debuting series, "Oh My G!", starring Janella Salvador.

The feel-good drama directed by Roni Velasco and Paco Sta. Maria follows Salvador's character Sophie, whose seemingly "perfect life" -- she is popular in school and on social media -- turns around when her parents die in an accident.

According to Salvador, "Oh My G!" will focus on Sophie's struggles after the tragedy, in school, love and her faith. The actress earlier said the series was conceptualized to coincide with St. Teresa of Avila's fifth birth centenary in March.

The inspirational series will take over the 11:45 a.m. time slot vacated by "Be Careful With My Heart" and the drama anthology "Give Love On Christmas." 

Ricky Lee's "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita" get a 3:45 p.m. time slot after "Flordeliza," as part of the revamped Kapamilya Gold.

The drama series under the direction of Jeffrey Jeturian and Mervyn Brondial follows Cecilia (Vina Morales), who was abandoned by her father at a young age. Now with children of her own (Jane Oineza and Loisa Andalio), Cecilia is forced to confront a similar situation, only this time as a mother and as a wife.

Don't miss the first day of the newest three Kapamilya series on January 19 with the premiere of three drama series -  "Flordeliza," "Oh My G!"and "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita."