Feast of the Black Nazarene

There are around 50 PCG Ambulances and rubber boats that are prepared for the feast of the Black Nazarene on Saturday. On January 9, there are around 3 million people and devotees expected to join the procession in Quiapo, Manila.

Just like last year, the procession will start at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta at around 7:30 AM and it is expected to end in Quiapo Church around 9PM. This has been a unique cultural practice among Filipinos since the Black Nazarene was brought here by the Mexican Friars ages ago.




Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio said that they will be implementing the new scheme that they tried to do last year; and they will start this by relocating the Black Nazarene in the eve of January 9. This is to prevent accidents and deaths that happened in the past few years. They are gunning for 0 deaths today. This will also be the start of the Kissing of the Nazarene a day before the actual parade. They also said that there should be no political figures joining the event. They will also be promoting voter’s education while on this feast. They will probably have people documenting the event and shown on youtube for the rest of the world to see. This would also be a great opportunity for photographers like me. Street photography has never been my strength but this one would be really great to see! Although I would be thinking twice bringing my camera there, because I know a lot of thieves are also going too.

Should I stay or should I go?! =)

Time to Keep My Readership Up!

I know it has been painstakingly taking me too long to achieve MAVEN status since I started my site. But believe me I have not been on hiatus these past few months because I was trying to learn more about web directories like DMOZ or YAHOO. These are major players in the industry and if you do not get hooked up with them, you would probably end up in the least liked category of this hobby. You would not want to be counted in that!



This morning, I have a few realizations... and it has taken me a lot of thinking why I should sign myself up with these large companies in the free web directory. First of all, your readership will be wider which means that if each person tries to look up what you are talking about in your site; they would easily find you in the search engine that they tried to look at. GOOGLE has been the leader in search engines around the world and a single press of a button could get you thousands of results. You would rank higher and easily find you if you make yourself visible and listed on the system. Without them you would not really exist in the World Wide Web.

I write because I love what I do and I get to share what I know about anything under the sun to people across the globe. The Internet is powerful and getting valued readers that can use your information to their advantage is tantamount to the success of the site you have. I will make KUMAGCOW more popular this year and I plan to do that with the help of the SEO friendly web directory I signed up with. I want to make the world a better place than when I found it so if my turn comes to die I would have a happy feeling that I have not wasted my time but have done my best.

Not Guilty?! Oh Come On!

Andal Ampatuan Jr. just entered a 'not guilty plea' for the 41 counts of murder in the Maguindanao massacre case.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes started around 8:30 AM in the Police Non-Commissioned Officers' Clubhouse inside Camp Crame that housed the temporary courthouse.


He sported jeans and a pink tshirt with corresponding handcuffs that was really nice to see with Ampatuan while he was being escorted by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents. There was a sudden photo-op for members of media before they were escorted out. I watched this all in ANC. Asst. Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon headed the team for the government and public prosecutor while well known paid Atty. Sigfrid Fortun stood for Ampatuan’s defense.


First on the table was to have the Department of Justice (DOJ) explain why Ampatuan needed to appear and be on the preliminary investigation where a couple of photographers and newsmen hit him on his face with cameras.
Judge Solis-Reyes gave DOJ 3 days to explain. Aside from this, there will be a hearing for the petition for bail of Ampatuan. Fortun said he will make a preliminary conference so they can agree on the evidence that will be presented in the hopes of a speedy case. Fadullon however resisted and said that the 'petition for bail' was the only thing that was discussed in that particular hearing. Judge Solis-Reyes instructed the prosecution to limit the number of witnesses since there are around 12 for the bail hearing. Around 9:30AM Atty. Ric Diaz of the NBI was adjudged witness that will be cross-examined by Fortun because he said that his testimony would only be irrelevant. Diaz heads the Anti-Terrorism Division of the NBI and he was the first one to get there on the day of the massacre.
University of the Philippines (UP)Professor Atty. Harry Roque also added that Ampatuan should be in the Quezon City Jail, as it was also noted by Judge Solis-Reyes. The next hearing will be on January 13 at 8:30AM and I just hope he goes straight to Muntinlupa instead.

Good for My Room!

My Dad, Mom, Brother and I went to SM North EDSA this evening to get some needed time together. Aside from the usual mall and restaurant activities, I went to the household section since we needed to buy curtain rods and drapery for my room. I am not an interior designer but I think my room just needs a little jazzing up because it has been a few years since I updated the look. Actually it still looks like the same room just as it was in the 1990's so you know how it feels when I am cramped in there. The curtains would get it to look a little bit organized and classy.

I do not like clutter and even if I have a messy table in the office, I keep it a point to still get the papers fixed before I go home. I do not have anybody to follow my trash wherever I go so I try my best to be tidy even if I am alone. I do not have to make that my new year's resolution, but this is one thing I will do for myself since I spend most of the time in my room. I think I deserve that right?!