Scrabble allows proper nouns

The world's most popular board games introduces "innovative" way to make the game more exciting. Mattel, the producer of the game, said that this innovation will make the game more exciting and will allow infusion of pop culture. Although the rule is not yet definite as of the moment, it drew various reactions from scrabble fanatics. But with this change, one can easily snatch big score with words like "Beyonce", "Rihanna", or "Boracay".

Scrabble was invented in 1938 by American Alfred Buttsand later sold and trademarked by Mattel in 1948.

Earthquake Today

There's a long earthquake happens just today at this hour in the Philippines. It quite long, around 20-30 seconds and good thing we're safe here. I do not know exactly if there's casualty out there, hopefully none. Let's pray for the best!

Anne Curtis Nip Slip

Whenever there's smoke, there's fire. But we never expected it to be hotter than this.

The rumor which started and circulated via web was finally validated. Yes, Anne Curtis had an accidental nip slip via last Sunday's dance number in ASAP XV, a local variety TV show. Reports said Anne's "treasure" has been exposed for around 10 seconds while performing a dance number via cheering crowd. It was Anne's real and reel partner Sam Milby who got up into the stage to save the clueless Ann. But the heroic act is not enough, because in this days of camera phone, a mere second makes great opportunity for the incident to capture picture perfect moments.

Just be careful next time Anne. Meanwhile, enjoy the sumptuous photo.

Parenthood Lessons from Jason Ivler

As a young dad, I got valuable lessons from the recent incident involving Ivler and his mom. There are allegations that Ivler's mom hid him in their house to escape from being caught by police authority. Ivler is the primary suspect for the murder of a top-ranking government official in the Philippines.

There is no question that parents have undying and limitless love for their kids, but "love" is not just about giving them the all best in the world, but giving them your best self. It's not about taking side on them, but letting them understand which side to take. Sometimes the hardest part of being a parent is to realize when is "too much" too much. It is our important role to give our kids the best, but it is also our role to set boundaries.

Philippines finish second in 2010 Supermodel Search

This is another good news for every Filipinos worldwide.

A Filipina, Charlene Louise “Chat” Alagon Almarvez, only 17-year old, stands 5'9" won second place in the 2010 Supermodel of the Wold held in Brazil. She won a modeling contract from Ford Models NYC and a cash prize of US$150,000. The top prize goes to Karlina of Latvia (Baltics). It was the third time for the Philippines to grab elite spot in the competition since its opening in 1980. Previous winners include Melanie Marquez (first runner-up) in 1986 and Charo Ronquillo (second runner-up) in 2006.

We're very proud of you Chat!

UPCAT 2010 Results

We congratulate all high school students who passed the 2010 University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). Welcome to our new batch of "Iskolar ng Bayan" for 2010-2011 and we hope this opportunity will be your passport to become productive citizens of our world. The complete UPCAT 2010 Result is available here.

Let us pray for our Haitians friends!

The After Six Guy wishes to extend his deepest prayers to our friends from Haiti whose lives perished from the devastating earthquake last 12 January 2010. Condolences also to the family of the victims, and may they find strength, peace, and hope to face new life after this tragic times.

Chinese man needs girlfriend

Single ladies out there, this is one good news! But to single men, it means more competition from our Chinese friends.

According to a recent government-funded research in China conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, there will be a shortage of single woman in China by 2010. The proportion of man to woman will continue to increase leading to a higher number of single Chinese men. This is mainly due to an ancient Chinese practice from which couple put high preference to male offsring. There are many reported incidents of abortion once the couple discovered that they will be having a baby girl. Thus, gender imbalance became a critical issue for China and the world.

I just felt fortunate I was born in the Philippines where there are fewer boys. And every night is a real boy's night out!

Pacquaio vs. Mayweather fight continues

The super fight every boxing fans dreamed of between Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather on March 13 continues. This time not in the boxing ring but in pay-per-view buys.

Previously, both fighters did not come out to a compromise which prompted Top Rank's Bob Arum, Pacquaio's promoter, to schedule a fight for Pacquaio with Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Two days after Team Pacquaio's announcement, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer also issued a press release via ESPN.com that Mayweather will fight also on the same date against an undisclosed fighter. Some of the potential names to fight Mayweather include former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi, former lightweight titlist Nate Campbell, former welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron and junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr. The fight will be staged at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the original venue of supposedly Pacquiao-Mayweather bout.

With both of the world's best fighters fighting on different bouts, the real winner will be determined in the pay-per-views sales of respective fights. This is a really difficult time for boxing fans.

Pacquaio-Mayweather superfight off

The superfight every boxing fans awaits is off. In a press statement, Team Pacquaio's promoter Bob Arum said that both parties did not come up in an agreement on the issue of Olympic-style drug testing. Pacquaio vs. Mayweather dream fight slated on March 13 would have been history's biggest and richest and might not happen again in the next decade. It would have guaranteed each boxer $40 million each (including pay-per-view sales). But principle, over money, is the issue here. I think both camps have their own reasons (but honestly I think Floyd Jr and Floyd Sr. were just chickened of Manny's strength). As a boxing fan, I wish future negotiations will make this fight possible.

Maybe March is not just the right time. Please don't disappoint us, Manny and Floyd!

Burj Kalifa: World's Tallest Building

The race to reach the sky is on with the inauguration of Burj Kalifa on January 4, 2009 (Monday). Its height, which kept secret for long time to prevent competition, is finally revealed. It stands at 828 metres (2,717 feet) out of the desert sands of what seems to be the richest and most progressive country in the Middle East. It became the highest landmark in the world to date dwarfing Taipei 101 in Taiwan which stands at 509.2 metres (1,671 ft). Burj Kalifa is previously known as Burj Dubai, and was later renamed in honour of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan. Construction started in 2004 and estimated total amount of construction is a whopping 1.5 billion dollars (just enough build houses to half of world's population).

The question now is who will be next in the race? Just dreaming, hopefully a 1 km skyscraper in Makati, Philippines.