11-year-old Sanchez was on ‘America’s Got Talent’

MANILA, Philippines – Before becoming an “American Idol” finalist, Filipino-Mexican-American Jessica Sanchez already made jaws drop on American television as an 11-year-old singer. 

Sanchez proved irresistible for judges of “America’s Got Talent” during its first season in 2006. She was chosen to return as a wild card contestant after being initially eliminated.

Sanchez was only 10 years old when she passed her first audition for a spot  in the US version of the international “Got Talent” franchise. After failing to make it to the semi-finals, Sanchez got a belated call-back as judge Brandy Norwood’s wild-card-round bet.

Having just turned 11 a day before her wild card performance, Sanchez wowed the “Got Talent” panelists, which included David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan. She got a standing ovation with her rendition of “I Surrender."

Calling Sanchez’s performance “fantastic,” Hasselhoff celebrated the comeback by exclaiming “Mabuhay,” a Filipino word that means “long live.”

Norwood, to whom Sanchez owed her wild card opportunity, expressed her confidence in the Fil-Am belter.

“I’m so glad I brought you back. You have really shown me that singing is the best thing ever,” she said. “You’re going to be huge, I promise.”

The blunt judge Morgan said he had initially thought Sanchez was “flat as a pancake,” but added he saw “confidence and star quality” in her that other competing acts didn’t have.

Sanchez, however, did not garner enough viewers’ votes to move on to the finals. Of the ten acts picked for the wild card round, only two secured a spot in the top 10.

Six years later, Sanchez would fulfill Norwood’s prediction of the Fil-Am star “going huge,” having just secured a spot in the top 7 of reality singing contest “American Idol.”

Sanchez continues to impress judges and audience alike with her weekly performances, and many of her supporters in the Philippines and north America hope she will make it all the way to the contest’s final showdown.

Boy in China sells kidney to buy iPhone: state media

BEIJING - A teenage high-school student in China sold his kidney for an illicit transplant operation and used the proceeds to buy an Apple iPhone and iPad, state press said on Friday.

The 17-year-old boy, who was paid 22,000 yuan ($3,500), was recruited from an online chatroom and is now suffering from kidney failure and in deteriorating health, the Xinhua news agency said.

A surgeon and four others have been arrested and are facing charges of illegal organ trading and intentional injury.

The kidney donor, only identified by his surname Wang, agreed to the April 2011 operation in the central province of Hunan without his parents consent, the report said.

One of those detained was a hard-up gambler identified as He Wei, who acted as a middle-man between a hospital worker and the teenager. He was paid 220,000 yuan.

Health ministry statistics show that about 1.5 million people in China need transplants, but only around 10,000 transplants are performed annually.

The huge gap has led to a thriving illegal market for organs.

Executed prisoners remain the main source of organs used in transplant operations due to the lack of voluntary donations, Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu was quoted by state media as saying last month.

International human rights groups have long accused China of harvesting organs from executed prisoners for transplant without the consent of the prisoner or their family -- charges the government has denied.

7 ‘good’ habits that are bad for your health

7 seemingly healthy habits that can be bad for your wellbeing

Think you know what’s good for you? You may be surprised. Take a look at these seven seemingly good habits that can actually be bad for your health.

Drinking water

While we are probably all familiar with the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, more recent research has suggested that there is actually no scientific evidence supporting this recommendation and that drinking excessive amounts of water can actually be dangerous by lowering the concentration of salt in your blood. Health-conscious water drinkers should also be wary of the trend for drinking bottled water, as studies have suggested that the chemicals (phthalates) from plastic bottles can leach into water and disrupt hormone levels.

Talking over your problems

Talking through your problems can be a great way to gain some perspective and get things off your chest. However, studies have suggested that, after a certain point, rehashing and dwelling on problems can actually be bad for your health. According to research, revisiting and analysing the same problems with friends (“co-rumination”) can lead to anxiety, stress disorders and depression. Next time a problem arises, by all means talk it over with a friend, but try to focus on problem-solving rather than simply dwelling on the issue.

Sipping on mocktails

You may think that by swapping cocktails for mocktails you are doing your health a favour, but this may not actually be the case. While cutting down on alcohol is beneficial for your wellbeing, mocktails are often high in refined sugar which research suggests is just as damaging and addictive as alcohol. For a safer swap and a shot of nutrients, make sure you stick to mocktails made from pure fruit juices instead of those made from syrups.

Early morning workouts

While a daily workout is great for your health, studies suggest that getting up for early morning exercise may not be as ideal as it seems. A study by a researcher from Brunel University, Middlesex, found that heavy training sessions early in the morning can compromise the immune system and put athletes at increased risk of bacterial and viral infection. While a morning jog or gentle exercise session is unlikely to put you at risk, it may be better to save heavier workouts for later in the day.

Taking nutritional supplements

We all know that vitamins are good for us, but relying on nutritional supplements can actually be bad for your health. Separate studies have shown that high doses of vitamin supplements including iron, magnesium and vitamin B6 raise the death rate of older women, while taking vitamin E can increase men’s risk of prostate cancer. While certain people may be required to take vitamins (those with low levels of vitamin D, for example, or vegans who may be deficient in vitamin B12), for most people a better approach is to opt for a varied diet full of fruit and vegetables which will give you all the nutrients you need.

Slathering on sunscreen

Official advice for many years has warned about the dangers of skin cancer, causing many of us to take measures to cover up in the sun at all times. However, while it is extremely important to protect your skin, experts have more recently advised that little and frequent sun exposure is good for us, preventing vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to rickets, osteomalacia and depression. Official advice in the UK, where rickets has recently made a comeback, is to spend 10 minutes in the midday sun without sunblock each day before covering skin up.

Switching to low fat foods

When getting started in healthy eating, it is tempting to opt for low fat foods in order to help keep off excess pounds. However, cutting out ‘good’ fats such as omega-3 fatty acids could be detrimental to your health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, walnuts and flaxseeds, not only help to keep skin supple and wrinkle-free, they are also essential for good brain and heart health and can help prevent arthritis.

Pinay killed as woman jumping from Hong Kong building lands on her

In a bizarre accident, a Filipina domestic helper was killed on Wednesday when a woman, in a suicide attempt, jumped off the roof of a building and landed on her.

The incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the Tai Koo Shing district, according to a report of Hong Kong's The Standard on Thursday.

The police said the Filipina, surnamed Rabe, 49, was crushed by the impact and lost consciousness. She died at the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

The 55-year-old single woman who jumped, surnamed Yee, was killed on the spot after landing on Rabe, who was just passing by the area.

Yee had jumped from the rooftop of Shun On Mansion.

A police officer said Yee was not a resident of Shun On Mansion, but lived in Tai Koo Shing.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed that Yee entered the building by following a resident.

The Standard quoted Yee's relatives as saying Yee may have suffered emotional distress after a quarrel with her boyfriend the night before.

'Loud bang'

According to the Standard, passersby heard a "loud bang" as Yee landed on Rabe who was carrying two plastic bags full of food and water bottles.

Rabe's employer, who rushed to the hospital upon learning of the incident, was distraught after learning that the Filipina died.

The employer said their family had considered Rabe, who had been working for them for years, as an intimate friend.

Solicitor and Wong Tai Sin district councillor Wong Kwok-tung said Rabe's family is unlikely to receive employment insurance compensation as the accident happened on her day off.

"It is purely an accident and there is no wrongdoing involved," Wong said.

Joseph Law Kwan-din, chairman of the Hong Kong Employers of Overseas Domestic Helpers Association, said it was tragic that Rabe passed by "the wrong place at the wrong time."

"This accident underlines the importance of employers signing maids up to a comprehensive insurance policy that will give full compensation, for injuries sustained through accidents like these can happen any time," he said.

19 undocumented Pinoy workers nabbed in Saudi Arabia

Source: 

At least 19 undocumented overseas Filipino workers were arrested in a raid in the Dammam area last March 30, militant migrant worker group Migrante said on Good Friday.

In a post on its blog site, Migrante said the raid was undertaken jointly by Mottawa police and Jawasat, local immigration police.

Migrante-Eastern region case officer Marcial Abay Jr., in an April 3 letter to Philippine labor attaché Adam Musa, said the 19 OFWs were detained in Dammam Central jail. Of the 19, 10 are women with children and one is pregnant.

The group identified the 19 as:

- Willie Formalejo
- Roberto Bautista
- Hermoso Morales
- Teodorico Orlino
- Adelino Oroy
- Michael Quiliza
- Rey Domingo
- Ronaldo Go
- Genaro Valenzuela
- Edna Yuson (pregnant)
- Aida Bautista
- Maribel Jimena
- Dolores Reno
- Diane Cunado
- Luz Palo
- Apple Joy Constantino
- Baby Jehad
- Jheny Cayabo
- Jennifer Cortiz

“We have been informed that until now there’s no embassy or any Philippine government officials who visited the detained OFWs,” Abay said.

Migrante-Saudi Arabia urged Philippine embassy officials to provide legal assistance by immediately deploying its legal team for a jail visit.

For his part, Migrante Middle East coordinator John Monterona said the number of undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia is now at 8,000.

“We are quite sure that in other mid-east countries such as Kuwait, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, there could be thousands more undocumented,” Monterona said.

He said most of the undocumented OFWs ran away from their employers after being subjected to abuses and labor malpractices such as non-payment of salaries, working more than eight hours, getting no day off or overtime pay. 

10-Year-Old Girl Gives Birth to Daughter

Source: news.yahoo.com

A 10-year-old Colombian girl gave birth to a healthy baby girl, making her one of the youngest mothers ever.

The unnamed girl from Manaure, a town in the Colombian Department of La Guajira, arrived at the hospital in tears and "enormous pain" from the contractions, according to  Univision's Primer Impacto. She reportedly delivered her daughter, who weighed 5 pounds, by cesarean section.

Experts say a C-section delivery for such a young mother is not unusual.

"The baby's head needs to come through a bony outlet. But in a young girl, the pelvis may not be ready or big enough to deliver a baby," said Dr. Kimberly Gecsi, an OB/GYN at UH Case Medical Center in Cleveland.

Extremely young mothers also have a higher risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure known as preeclampsia, and their babies are at risk for fetal growth restriction, according to Dr. Frederick Gonzalez, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center.

"These girls are not ready to be pregnant. Their bodies are not mature," said Gonzalez. "They may be able to get pregnant, but being able to have a baby is a whole other situation."

The new mom is a member of the Wayuu people, an indigenous tribe in northern Colombia. The age of the father is unknown, but police can't press charges because the tribe has its own jurisdiction, according to local reports.

"We've already seen several cases [of pregnancy] in girls of the Wayuu ethnicity," Efraín Pacheco Casadiego, director of the hospital where the girl gave birth,  told RCN La Radio noticias. "When in fact [the girls] should be playing with dolls, they are having to care for a baby. This is shocking."

Pregnancy can occur as soon as a girl starts ovulating, which is happening at ever younger ages.

"The average age girls in the country start menstruating is about 12 and a half, but that age keeps dropping," said Gecsi, adding that the age is even lower among Hispanic girls. "But only about 13 percent of Hispanic girls menstruate younger than 11. And for them to have a sexual experience would be very unusual."

Because ovulation precedes menstruation, girls can get pregnant before ever having a period.

"Typically, menstruation is the last thing that happens in puberty," said Gesci, adding that girls typically go through a growth spurt and develop breasts and pubic hair before menstruating. "If you notice those things, you could be about to menstruate and you could get pregnant."

Rose likely to return to action Sunday

The Derrick Rose injury watch is nearing its conclusion.

Barring an unexpected setback, Rose said he will return Sunday against the Knicks from the groininjury that sidelined him for the 12th straight time Thursday night.

"I'm dying to play, but we're being smart," Rose said. "I guess a couple of more days rest will be good for me."

Rose again participated fully in Thursday's morning shootaround and worked out before Thursday's game. He admitted to still feeling a little discomfort, saying he's "not able to run at full speed." When he does return, that will change.

"I'm not going to hold back at all," Rose said. "My game is to be aggressive and try to get people going."

Rose said he is "a little bit" concerned about reinjuring the groin.

"But every day it's improving, the less I think about it," he said. "I'm running more, feeling better. I know it will be different if it's a game-type experience."

Rose said he isn't concerned about being affected by the injury during what could be a long playoff run for the Bulls.

"I should be fine," Rose said. "Taking all this rust off with all the other injuries I had, being nicked up. They're gone. The only thing I'm worried about is my groin."

Coach Tom Thibodeau said the opponent didn't factor into the decision to sit Rose.

"If he's healthy and can play, he'll play," Thibodeau said. "If he's not, he will not play. We just have to be smart about it. You're cautious because of where you are in the season too. He has to be healthy. We're not going to rush him back just to have him back."

Familiar face: The Bulls signed guard Mike Jamesfor the remainder of the season. It's James' fourth stint and would have happened even if Rose and C.J. Watson were fully healthy, sources said.

"We liked what he brought to our team before," Thibodeau said. "He gives us the flexibility to play two point guards. He has size, veteran experience. He knows what we're doing, is good insurance." 

6 Ways to Quit Smoking

1. Choose a Strategy.
There are many ways to quit smoking. For example, some research has shown that an effective strategy for quitting is a combination of counseling, telephone "quit lines," online support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). For each person, the key to success is finding the plan that works best.

2. Get Ready.
Make a detailed list of your reasons for wanting to quit (e.g., health benefits, saving money). Keep a diary of when you smoke (or use tobacco) and the triggers that prompt you. Research the available options in your area for information and support about quitting. Set a date for quitting. (On this date, get rid of ashtrays, lighters, tobacco products and anything else you associate with smoking or using tobacco.)


3. Get Support.
Ask your healthcare provider for advice in quitting. Sign up for a smoking (or tobacco) cessation program. Join an online support network. Talk to friends and family about what support you would like from them. Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings during this challenging process.


4. Develop a Coping Plan.
To help you handle withdrawal, deal with stress, and resist the urge to smoke or use tobacco: Learn yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Start an exercise routine. (Consult your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program.) Talk to a counselor. Research your nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options.


5. Ask about Prescription Medications.
Consider medications that can help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and improve your chances of success. Research your medication and other withdrawal treatment options. Ask your health care provider for recommendations.


6. Prevent Relapse.
Be prepared to handle a relapse. Urges to smoke or use tobacco usually last no longer than 3 minutes. Keep busy for the first few days. When the urge comes, time it and take one deep breath at a time until it passes. Call someone. Or take a walk. Or ask a loved one for a hug. If you do relapse, don't give up! Set a new quit date and start the process again.

US Mega Millions mystery drags on

BALTIMORE, Maryland - The Mega Millions mystery dragged on Thursday with no one yet coming forward for a share of a world-record $656 million jackpot, even after a Baltimore woman claimed she had a winning ticket.

Tickets with the winning combination of 2, 4, 23, 38, 46 plus Mega Ball 23 drawn Friday had been sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland -- meaning the total prize will be split three ways. But no winners have been confirmed.
"No one has indicated to us that they have the winning ticket," said Stephen Martino, director of the Maryland lottery, which stands ready to pay out $105,106,389.24 after taxes to whoever holds the Maryland ticket.
"Until that time we will wait... until someone walks through our door," he told reporters at Maryland lottery headquarters in a renovated mail-order catalog warehouse in an industrial suburb of Baltimore.
But they need not hurry: winners have until September 28 to come forward, and Martino strongly recommended they first sign their ticket on the back, put it in a safe, then hire a lawyer or a financial adviser "to get themselves organized for this amount of money."
Mirlande Wilson, 37, an assistant manager at a Baltimore area McDonald's fast food outlet, touched off a media frenzy at the start of the week when she told the New York Post newspaper that she had Maryland's winning ticket.
She appeared but said nothing at a press conference Wednesday alongside her lawyer Edward Smith, who added to the intrigue when he revealed that he himself had not seen his client's ticket.
Wilson, a single mother and immigrant from Haiti, had asserted that her ticket was separate from others she purchased in a pool with her work colleagues -- something they disputed.
At the busy McDonald's where she remains on the payroll, two beefy off-duty police officers blocked an AFP television crew from taking video images, and a public relations consultant declined to answer questions on the record.
But in a statement Thursday, the owner of the McDonald's franchise, Birul Desai, dismissed local media reports that the winning ticket might be hidden somewhere on his property.
"I have absolutely no evidence to support these claims," he said.
Nearby, on the other side of Liberty Road in west Baltimore, a big banner declaring "We sold a jackpot winner" hung on the front of the 7-Eleven convenience store where the lucky was sold a few hours before Friday's draw.
But inside, on the red Maryland lottery machine on the cashier's counter, a handwritten sign announced: "Lottery is Out of Order."
"It jammed. The paper jammed," a store employee told AFP, explaining how the otherwise typical 7-Eleven has, since the weekend, witnessed an upsurge in customers believing its lottery tickets might be especially lucky.
Martino said the 7-Eleven would get a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, on top of the regular commission it earned for each ticket sold.
In the Illinois town of Red Bud, the nine employees of a MotoMart store that sold that state's winning ticket accepted a $50,000 check Thursday to share between them, the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper reported.
If no one comes forward, Martino said, their winnings will be redistributed to participating Mega Million states in proportion to how many tickets each state had sold.
But he added: "I am not surprised that after four working days (since Friday's draw), we haven't heard from anyone yet."

Jessica on to 'Idol' top 7; Deandre out

Brackensick shown the door on "American Idol"

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) -- Filipino-Mexican-American contestant Jessica Sanchez moved on to the Top 7 of "American Idol" on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila) after she was declared safe, along with duet partner Joshua Ledet.

Sanchez and Ledet earned a standing ovation from the "Idol" judges on the performance show on Wednesday for their performance of "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me."

Critics also loved the duet. Rolling Stone magazine called it "a solid and rousing rendition that leaves the judges gasping for breath."

On Thursday, contestant mentor Jimmy Iovine praised Ledet's solo performance -- a soulful rendition of Simply Red's "If You Don't Know Me By Now" -- giving him "tens all over," while urging Sanchez to bring in "more horsepower."

After Wednesday's duet, "Idol" judges and fans are now predicting Ledet and Sanchez to compete in the finale in May.

Ledet also had a standing ovation for his solo number as did Skylar Laine, who was also declared safe early on Thursday's results show.

Bottom three

Despite getting praise from the judges for his performance of DeBarge's "I Like It," Deandre Brackensick, a curly-haired contestant adored by judge Jennifer Lopez, became the third contestant booted from "American Idol."

Iovine criticized the effort as the worst among the show's male performers and said Brackensick "needs to come out and grow at a much faster pace."

Brackensick received a hug from Lopez before exiting the stage. The pop superstar revealed she had voted to use the "save" allotted to the judges, but fellow panelists Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler had not agreed with her.

The "save" allows judges to overrule audience votes and keep a singer on the show. It will expire when the program narrows to five final contestants later this season.

Brackensick, who was predicted by Dial Idol to be eliminated, was at the bottom three, along with Elise Testone and Hallie Cavanagh.

Testone and Cavanagh were heavily criticized by the judges on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). Testone sang Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is," while Cavanagh did "Flashdance... What A Feeling" by Irene Cara.

It was Brackensick and Testone who found themselves at the bottom two and judges Jackson and Lopez said they didn't agree with America's vote.

But "Idol" followers felt that Jackson and Lopez believe Brackensick didn't deserve to be at the bottom, based on their comments the previous night. Lopez had said Brackensick, known for his falsetto runs, was one of the standouts during the performance show.

Brackensick performed Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster" in an effort to "save his life" as the judges still hadn't used their save for the season. The judges can veto the voting and save a contestant from elimination -- but only once.

In the end, the judges opted not save Brackensick.

Songs from the 1980s

This week on "Idol," audiences judged contestants based on their handling of songs from the 1980s, which they sang on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Highlights of Friday's episode included a visit from Season 5 contestant Kelly Pickler, who sang "Where's Tammy Wynnette," as well as boy band The Wanted, which performed "Glad You Came."

"Idol" first aired on Fox in 2002, and has launched the careers of singers Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson, among others. Now in its 11th season, the show continues to be the most watched reality TV show in America, though it has received stiff competition from "The Voice" this year.

Audiences vote for their favorite performers by phone and text message each week as contestants are challenged by a variety of musical styles. The winning contestant receives a recording contract. This season's winner will be decided in May. -- with Reuters

5 Signs He Is the Right One For You

Source: mydailymoment.com


Wish as we might—and despite what romantic comedies would have you believe—there is no magic answer to finding the perfect mate. Discovering if someone is the right one for you usually takes some time. Although we may wish to act solely on instinct—which can be helpful in determining if he is the right one—it is important to give it time before reaching that final decision.

While there is no set-in-stone policy for finding love, there are 5 signs you can use to determine if he is the one.


Sign #1 He Is the Right One – You Respect One Another


When it comes to figuring out if he is the right one, respect should be at the top of the list. Respect is also something that should go both ways. He should respect you and you should respect him, in turn.


You can tell he respects you when:


He is willing to compromise
He listens to your concerns and feelings
He notices when something is wrong and asks you about it
He values your opinion
He appreciates you
He is genuinely happy for you when you succeed


All of these are signs that he has respect for you. You should also demonstrate these same things to him. On the other hand, if you find that either of you are unwilling to compromise, concerns and feelings are dismissed, or you notice something is wrong but don’t inquire, then you have some tell-tale signs that there is a lack of respect.


If either of you flippantly dismisses the other’s opinions or act as if they are inconsequential, there is clearly a lack of respect. If you greet one another’s successes with jealousy instead of enthusiasm and support, you need to take a minute to assess the level of respect that exists in your relationship.


Sign #2 He Is the Right One – He Has the Qualities You’re Looking For


Ideally, you should know ahead of time what qualities are important to you in a mate. Trying to figure it out after the fact can lead to serious problems. If you have a good idea of the qualities you are looking for—the ones that are the most important—it will help you determine if he is the right one.


It helps to write a list. Select at least 10 qualities you are looking for in a man. Put that list in the order of importance. Take a serious look at the list and cross off any qualities that aren’t so important. Some qualities are probably negotiable. If that is the case, they can likely be removed from the list. The idea is to get down to at least the top 5 non-negotiable qualities that you are looking for.


All of this must be done by keeping 2 important things in your mind. First, no one is perfect. If you are looking for Mr. Perfect, you might as well stop looking and recognize that perfection simply doesn’t exist. With that in mind, know that you don’t have to just “settle” for “good enough.” You want to have the confidence of knowing that he is not someone you have simply settled for but he is the right one for you. The list of qualities you are looking for will help determine that.


Compare your list of top 5 non-negotiable traits and compare it to the man in question. Remember, these were non-negotiable qualities that you selected, so if he doesn’t fit all of them, there is a good chance that he is not the right one for you. It’s surprisingly easy to fall into the trap of trying to change your standards, but you should never change your standards to fit someone else. You can’t make someone be who they aren’t.


If he meets every one of your non-negotiable qualities, chances are good that he may be the right one for you.


Sign #3 He Is the Right One – You Share the Same Values




What do you value most? What values make up the life you have chosen to live? These are important questions to ask yourself, as they will help determine if he is the right one for you. Values are usually in-line with those non-negotiable items that will give you a clue as to whether or not he is the right one. If you don’t share the same values, consider that to be a red flag.


An important factor to consider is if you find yourself compromising your values for him. Values really make up who we are. If you are changing your values in order to please someone else, then you are essentially trying to change yourself and that is never a good sign in a relationship!


Values are something that should be discussed ahead of time. Don’t guess at what he values most in life, ask him! If he doesn’t seem to have any values, or he can’t articulate them, that might be another red flag to look for. A man of real substance is flexible, but will possess firm, well-reasoned values.


Sign #4 He Is the Right One – Your Intuition Tells You


Your intuition—your gut—should never be ignored. At the same time, it should never be THE deciding factor. Your intuition should serve as a guide, something you rely on when considering whether or not he is the right one.


Intuition is more than just how physically attracted you are towards him. It goes beyond that to a place deep inside where you just seem to “know.” It’s usually just a sense or a feeling that this person is the right one.


Whether your instincts are saying he is or isn’t the one, it’s an important consideration. Many times our instincts are right. Of course, our best instincts can be wrong and someone can present themselves to be something that they are not. This is why intuition is only one sign to consider in determining if he is the right one for you.
Sign #5 He Is the Right One – You Can Be Yourself With Him




You will not be appreciated or valued by a man who tries to change you or who cannot love you, flaws and all. So if you can be who you are when you are with him, he might just be the right one for you. This means he not only accepts the good in you, but also your weaknesses and faults. When you can be yourself, you will experience a sense of freedom. You will have confidence in knowing that he accepts you just as you are.


When taking these 5 signs into consideration, you will have a good idea if he is actually the right guy for you.

Come back soon, Derrick Rose.

Source: nwherald.com  

DEERFIELD – On second thought, you might want to wait at least one more game.

The Bulls will host the Boston Celtics at 8:30 p.m. today, which means that three-time All-Star Rajon Rondo will challenge whoever is starting at point guard for the Bulls. Fill-in starter C.J. Watson most likely will draw the assignment of guarding Rondo, but Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau refused to rule out Rose after he participated in a 90-minute practice Wednesday at the Berto Center.

“We’ll see how he feels [today],” said Thibodeau, who watched closely as Rose took part in his first full practice since injuring his groin March 12. “His speed and his quickness look very good. I thought it was very encouraging.”

As badly as the Bulls and their fans want to see Rose return, everyone involved might be best served to wait until Rondo leaves town. Rose has missed 11 consecutive games because of a strained right groin, and chasing around another top-tier playmaker in his first game back would represent a rough transition.

In a brief interview with reporters after practice, Rose admitted that he was not yet 100 percent healthy. He answered five questions before a team official guided him away from the cameras so he could take part in strength-and-conditioning drills.

“I felt good,” said Rose, who walked without a limp after practice. “But me playing [today], I don’t know. I was able to run a little bit more but not at my top speed.”

However, Rose’s teammates joked that he still was buzzing up and down the court.

Take Bulls guard Richard Hamilton, who was asked to rank Rose’s speed during practice on a scale of 1 being the slowest to 10 being the fastest.

“On Derrick’s bad days, he’s still a 10,” Hamilton said with a laugh. “He possesses all of the attributes. When he’s 100 percent, he’s way over 10. Like I said, him not at full speed is still faster than probably 98 percent of the league.”

Probably so, but Rondo might be in the other 2 percent.

The Celtics’ 26-year-old point guard reminded the Bulls of his ability Feb. 12 in Boston when he went off for 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in a 95-91 Celtics win. Rondo is second in the NBA in assists (11.0 a game) and steals (2.2 a game).

Thibodeau won an NBA championship as a Celtics assistant coach in 2008, when Rondo was developing his skills as a second-year player.
“Rondo is Rondo,” Thibodeau said. “The guy is spectacular.”
When healthy, Rose is even better.
The Bulls have the NBA’s best record with 11 regular-season games remaining despite playing for prolonged stretches without Rose and Hamilton. Another week of rest could help Rose to attain full speed without aggravating his injured groin.
In the meantime, Rose is as curious as anyone to learn whether he can play pain-free or be forced to deal with a nagging groin injury for the rest of the season.
The answer could determine how far the Bulls are able to go in the playoffs.
“This is my first time ever having this injury,” Rose said. “Usually people, after they have [healed from the injury], they don’t have it anymore. But my biggest [concern] is coming back too quick and reinjuring it again.”

SSS ‘member-get-member’ promo for OFWs still on

MANILA, Philippines – The Social Security System (SSS) is urging its members abroad to encourage fellow Filipino workers to register in its ongoing “Member-Get-Member” promo.

“Because we have a voluntary program, we have to encourage more OFWs to register in our program,” said Judy Frances See, SSS Senior Vice President for International Operations Division.

The promo, also dubbed as “Sa SSS: Kasamahang OFW ay Protektado, Meron Pang Pa-premyo”, encourages more OFWs to become active SSS members. This is also one way of allowing SSS to reach out and provide social security protection to as many Filipino workers abroad.

Launched in January 1, 2012, the promo will run until June 30, 2012. The SSS will hold a monthly raffle draw until its grand draw on September 7, 2012, which coincides with the 55th anniversary of SSS.

“So we encourage our overseas Filipinos to recruit their co-OFWs to the program and they will be entitled to a monthly raffle and a grand raffle in September 2012,” said See.

To join, fill out a registration form from the SSS foreign offices or register online at www.sss.gov.ph. If in the Philippines, simply go to the nearest SSS branch.

SSS has 13 foreign offices in 10 countries. They are located in Philippine embassies and consulates in Hong Kong, Taipei, Brunei and Singapore for Asia; Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia; Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar in the Middle East; Rome and Milan in Italy; and London in the United Kingdom.

A former or existing OFW-member will serve as the “nominator” and the one being recruited is called the “nominee”.

A nominator has to be an SSS member who has paid at least one contribution in the last three months. The nominee, on the other hand, is a new SSS member or with an SS Number but has no record of payment for 2011.

In the monthly raffle draw, nine lucky winners (3 per regions of Asia, Middle East, and Europe) will receive P10,000 each.

Meanwhile, the grand raffle prizes for the promo are as follows:

1st Prize: Travel Package (one winner); Round trip ticket from foreign post to Manila and trip to Boracay for two with accommodation and P45,000 pocket money; 2nd Prize: P30,000 (two winners); 3rd Prize: P20,000 (three winners); Consolation Prize: P10,000 (10 winners).

A Special Award of P50,000 plus plaque of appreciation will be given to a "nominator" with the most number of "nominees".

For more information, go to www.sss.gov.ph or email member_relations@sss.gov.ph