November 22, 2011

“Footprints In The Sand” – The Story behind the Poem

Margaret’s boyfriend Paul proposed. While happy, she was hesitant. She and her boyfriend seemed so different. They decided to take a little walk along the beach to discuss marriage and its importance. When they reached the far end of the beach and were about to begin their return journey, Margaret glanced down and noticed that their footprints had washed out to the sea. Turning to Paul she said, ” Well, if our married life is to be like this, we don’t stand much of a chance.”
Paul replied, “When things are tough for me, you will help me – and when things are tough for you, I’ll help you.”
They continued walking, until Margaret glanced down again and saw that only one set of footprints had washed out to sea. Again, Margaret suggested that their life together didn’t appear to have much of a future. This time Paul responded by gently lifting her up in his arms and carrying her along the beach. Finally, he set her down and said, “Margaret, I want to impress upon you that when life is so bad that we can’t seem to help each other, God will carry us.” Then, pointing to the single set of footprints the two of them had just created, Paul added, “If you just looked at the set of tracks we just made, you couldn’t tell that I carried you – but I did.”
Margaret found his words and the thoughts behind them very beautiful. that night she couldn’t sleep, so she got up and wrote these words:
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed You most You would leave me.”
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

This beautiful piece, printed time and time again, has a love story all it’s own. She called the piece “Footprints” Today, “Footprints” is one of the most widely distributed inspirational pieces in existence. It can be found on plaques, cards and jewelry. Its power lies in its message – the message of the greatest love of all. And yes they did marry.
Love – is an eternal source.
- – - By Margaret Rose Powers

Free Admission to the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) 2011 National Final Competitions at the CCP from November 22 - 27, 2011


The National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Foundation, together with
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
Department of Education (DepEd) and the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)

proudly presents...

2011 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) National Final Competitions
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
November 22 (Tuesday) - November 27 (Sunday), 2011

Program:

November 22, 2011 (Tuesday)

Opening Ceremonies
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
10:00 AM

Piano Category
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
6:00 PM

November 23, 2011 (Wednesday)

Woodwinds Category C
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
6:00 PM

Dance – Junior Ballet
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
1:00 PM

November 24, 2011 (Thursday)

Strings Category B and C
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
3:00 PM

Choir Category B
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
6:00 PM


November 25, 2011 (Friday)

Rondalla Ensemble Category A
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
6:00 PM

Outreach Program - Traditional Music Ensemble
U. P. College of Music, Diliman, Quezon City

Outreach Program – Choir Winners
Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City


November 26, 2011 (Saturday)

Traditional Music Ensemble Showcase
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
6:00 PM

Outreach Program - Choir Winners
Centro Escolar University, Manila


November 27, 2011 (Sunday)

Concert of Winners
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
6:00 PM


All competitions and concerts are free and open to the public. Seat reservations for the two winners’ concerts may be made in advance; however, tickets will only be distributed one hour before each performance.

For more information and for your seat reservation, please contact
CCP at (63-2)836-4928 or 29 

November 18, 2011

Conjoined twins sisters Angelica and Angelina Sabuco set to go home

Angelina Sabuco, at left, is held by her mother Ginady Sabuco and twin sister Angelica, is held by aunt Marita Sabuco, at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 in Stanford, Calif. The twin sisters, who were born joined in the chest an abdomen, are preparing to go home after an intricate surgery by a group of Lucile Packard doctors to separate them. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)



Twin sisters Angelica and Angelina Sabuco have been recovering at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, United States, since their November 1 operation. Twin sisters who had been joined at the chest are preparing to leave the hospital two weeks after surgery - each in their own car seat.

Angelina and Angelica were born in the Philippines and live in the United States.


"They are recovering very, very well," said lead surgeon Dr Gary Hartman. "Our goal is to return as many children as we can to happy, healthy lives."

Hartman said the girls are off pain medications and their livers are functioning normally. He will continue seeing the girls for weekly outpatient therapy, and they will see a plastic surgeon, Dr Peter Lorenz, for follow-up procedures. Lorenz said the girls' chest walls have a bit of an abnormal shape but it can be molded as they grow.

The sisters made their post-surgery debut during a news conference at the hospital on Monday.

Wearing bright red dresses with bows in their hair and held by their mother and aunt, the girls appeared at ease with the all the attention. Their mother, Ginady Sabuco, smiled and laughed and urged her daughters to wave and say hello as they approached reporters.

"We're so excited now to go home and see them sitting in their own car seats," she said. "We cannot wait to see them playing, walking and running."

The girls are sleeping in separate beds, their appetites are growing and they are learning how to walk again. Remarkably, even as they were joined at the chest, the girls had learned to walk but would move sideways. They are now learning to go forward and backward.

"Balance is the biggest challenge," said Amy Weisman, physical therapist. "They are now taking steps with support."

The girls' nearly 10-hour surgery, paid for by the family's health insurance, was the second such successful operation at the children's hospital in Palo Alto.






A team of more than 40 doctors, nurses and hospital staff took part in the case. Within 72 hours of the surgery, both girls were breathing on her own. Within a week, they had moved from intensive care to a regular hospital room. 

Ginady Sabuco said when the girls woke up after surgery they looked around and called out "mama." At that moment, she said, "all the hardships went away."



November 17, 2011

Disney's "The Little Mermaid" starts November 18


Atlantis Production will showcase Disney's "The Little Mermaid" this November 18 to December 11, 2011 at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas Ave., Pasig City. "The Little Mermaid" is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and Disney film.

Music by: Alen Menken
Lyrics by: Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater
Book by: Doug Wright

Some of Disney’s most popular songs are featured in the show, including "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea."


Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos make their professional musical theater stage debut as Ariel and Prince Eric in Atlantis' production, jointly directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga.

Other cast members include Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula, Calvin Millado as Triton and OJ Mariano as Sebastian.

"We are creating a 'Little Mermaid' unlike any other. It will be an exciting fusion of East meets West elements. Our underwater kingdom will be completely Asian in theme and our above water world will be Western, representing two different worlds. We will also be using traditional forms of Asian and Western puppetry including Wayang shadow play, bunraku, nang kaloung and western hand puppetry," says Garcia.

Vocal coaching by ManMan Angsico, choreography by Cecile Martinez, puppetry design and execution by Liz and Benny Batoctoy and Sam Fuentes, set design by Lex Marcos, costume design by Erik Pineda and lighting design by Jay Aranda.

For tickets/details, contact 8927078, 8401187 or visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com. 

November 12, 2011

The New7Wonders of Nature

The New7Wonders of Nature voting has ended. New7Wonders President Bernard Weber at the official news site of New7Wonders of Nature on Friday, November 11, 2011, the voting has ended and counting of the votes has begun.

According to a post at New7Wonders.com, the voting ended on Friday, Nov. 11 (11-11-11) at 11:11:11 (GMT) and provisional counting is underway. Preliminary results will be announced via their website at 7:07pm (GMT)


“By taking the time to take part, you have shown that you care about something that is very important to all of us: our home, Mother Earth.” Weber wrote on the report, thanking everyone who supported the project.

“I would especially like to extend by deepest gratitude to each and every one of the 28 Finalists. You impressed us with your commitment; you astonished us with your energy.”Weber added.

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn expressed confidence that Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) will be among the ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature‘ winners.

Note: The provisional results of the New7Wonders of Nature with the names of the 7 winners will be announced at 7:07pm GMT on www.new7wonders.com.

The top 14 Finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature. They are, in alphabetical order:

Amazon, Bu Tinah Island, Dead Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeita Grotto, Jeju Island, Kilimanjaro, Komodo, Masurian Lake District, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Sundarbans, Table Mountain.


PP Underground River: Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world’s longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.



Dead Sea: Israel, Jordan, Palestine

The Dead Sea is a salt lake between Palestine and Israel to the west and Jordan to the east. At 420 metres below sea level, its shores are the lowest point on Earth that are on dry land. With 30 percent salinity, it is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean.



Amazon: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometers (1.7 billion acres), though the forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers (1.4 billion acres), located within nine nations. The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined. It accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge crosses the Amazon.



Halong Bay: Viet Nam

Halong Bay is located in Quáng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen, who ply the shallow waters for 200 species of fish and 450 different kinds of mollusks. Another specific feature of Halong Bay is the abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands, for example, Dau Be island has six enclosed lakes. All these island lakes occupy drowned dolines within fengcong karst.



Iguazu Falls: Argentina, Brazil

Iguazu Falls, in Iguazu River, are one of the world’s largest waterfalls. They extend over 2,700 m (nearly 2 miles)  in a semi-circular shape.  Of the 275 falls that collectively make up Iguassu Falls, “Devil’s Throat” is the tallest at 80 m in height. Iguazu Falls are on the border between the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones, and are surrounded by two National Parks (BR/ARG). Both are subtropical rainforests that are host to hundreds of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.



Jeita Grotto : Lebanon 

Jeita Grotto is a compound of crystallized caves in Lebanon located 20 km north of Beirut in the Valley of Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River). This grotto is made up of two limestone caves, upper galleries and a lower cave through which a 6230 m long river runs. Geologically, the caves provide a tunnel or escape route for the underground river. In this cave and galleries, the action of water in the limestone has created cathedral-like vaults full of various sizes, colors and shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, majestic curtains and fantastic rock formations. The total length of the cave is more than 9000 m and there is one among the biggest stalactites in the world hanging 8,20 m. The grotto accommodates a huge hall with a distance of 108 m from the ceiling till the water level.



Bu Tinah Island: United Arab Emirates

Off the western shores of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates,  lies a unique natural treasure, wild and undisturbed by human activity: Bu Tinah Island. Bu Tinah’s thriving ecosystem forms a unique living laboratory with key significance for climate change research. An undisturbed paradise, Bu Tinah has much to teach mankind about environmental protection and survival. This distinctive natural habitat has shallow waters, seagrass beds and tall mangroves, set amid extensive coral reefs. It hosts beautiful and endangered marine life. Seabirds, including flamingos and osprey, various species of dolphins and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle live in Bu Tinah. The island’s waters host the world’s second-largest population of dugong, a large marine mammal that is threatened worldwide. Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve -- the region’s largest marine reserve. Its protection and survival must be ensured.



Great Barrier Reef: Australia, Papua New Guinea

The Great Barrier Reef is the planet’s largest coral reef system, with some 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 km over an area of approximately 344,400 square km. It is the biggest single structure made by living creatures and can be seen from outer space.



Jeju Island: Korea (south)

Jejudo is a volcanic island, 130 km from the southern coast of Korea. The largest island and smallest province in Korea, the island has a surface area of 1,846 sqkm. A central feature of Jeju is Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950 m above sea level. 360 satellite volcanoes are around the main volcano.



Kilimanjaro: Tanzania

Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most famous and highest freestanding mountains in the world, rising from the north-eastern part of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 metres (19,336 feet) high above sea level. Kilimanjaro comprises 3 volcanoes of which the most famous (and the most recent), snow-capped dormant Kibo stands at 5,895 m (19,455 ft). The mountain is situated in the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. The trek crosses five distinct vegetation zones, namely lower slopes, rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine and desert and the glaciers/summit. Within each zone there is an association between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and animals. The name Kilimanjaro, is thought to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima, meaning “mountain,” and the Kichagga vernacular language word ’Njaro’, translated as “whiteness,” giving the name White Mountain itself.



Komodo: Indonesia

Indonesia’s Komodo National Park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, for a total area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon. Later, it was also dedicated to protecting other species, including marine animals. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin.



Masurian Lake District: Poland

The Masurian Lake District or Masurian Lakeland  is a lake district in northeastern Poland containing more than 2,000 lakes. It extends roughly 290 km eastwards from the lower Vistula River to the Poland-Lithuania border and occupies an area of roughly 52,000 square kilometers. The lake district was shaped by the Pleistocene ice age. Many of its hills are parts of moraines and many of its lakes are moraine-dammed lakes.



Sunderbans: Bangladesh and India

The Sundarbans delta, at the mouth of the Ganges river, is the largest mangrove forest in the world, spreading across parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The Sundarbans features a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, with the Royal Bengal tiger being the most famous, but also including many birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes.



Table Mountain: South Africa


Table Mountain is a South African icon and the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it -- Mensa, meaning “the table.” The flat-topped mountain has withstood six million years of erosion and hosts the richest, yet smallest floral kingdom on earth with over 1,470 floral species. Table Mountain boasts numerous rare and endangered species. It is the most recognized site in Cape Town, the gateway to Africa, owing to its unique flat-topped peaks which reach 1,086 m above sea level.





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