Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino has passed away. She was 76.
Her son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III confirmed that she died of cardio respiratory arrest at exactly 3:18 a.m. Saturday at the Makati Medical Center.
Mrs. Aquino has been diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month.
Mrs. Aquino, widow of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., will be remembered as an icon of democracy, having led a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 that ousted a dictator who ruled the country for 20 years. [inquirer.net]
August 20th the most awaited premiere of Project Runway together wiht a new reality series called “Models of the Runway”. Models Of the Runway is a look at the 16 models who wear the Project Runway designs and promises to offer up plenty of drama of its own.
After 2-1 victory against Boca Juniors the Reds’ got a tally to five wins and 18 goals in five pre-season matches.
Manchester United will meet Bayern Munich in the final of the Audi Cup 2009 tonight before flying back home to England to continue their pre-season build-up. The final game will take place at 8:45 p.m. CET (2:45 p.m. ET) at the Allianz Arena.
You can watch the free live stream of the Audi Cup 2009 Finals (Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich).
CNBC’s original documentary premieres today, July 29th at 10 pm ET. As we take you to world inside UFC and its success of global domination on MMA sports and entertainment.
Two years ago, CNBC took MMA fans behind the scenes of the UFC in their documentary entitled “Ultimate Fighting: From Bloodsport to Big Time.” On July 29th, they are once again going to provide exclusive backstage access to the world’s biggest mixed martial arts organization in “Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars.”
Scott Wapner travels to Germany for last month’s UFC 99 event, the organization’s first-ever in mainland Europe. They followed president Dana White and co-owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta as they prepped for another solid pay-per-view payday.
Hear what the UFC’s brass has to say about the sport’s past, present and future, as well as how they have managed to grow at a 30% clip while recession has ravaged the economy and their sports counterparts.
Audi Cup 2009 is a two-day tournament (July 29 and 30) comprises hosts Bayern Munich, Champions League holders Manchester United, leading Italian outfit AC Milan, and reigning Argentine champions Boca Juniors. Game starts at 6:30 p.m. CET (12:30 p.m. ET) at the Allianz Arena. You can watch the free live stream of the Audi Cup 2009 (Manchester United vs. Boca Juniors).
Hey guys! Another great movie to be watch on 2010. You will really like it. Well, this is another digitally made product from Disney Digital 3-D and IMAX 3D.
Tron Legacy is a forthcoming 2010 science fiction film. It is a sequel to the 1982 film Tron. Joseph Kosinski is directing the film, while the previous film director, Steven Lisberger, returns as a producer. Jeff Bridges will reprise his role as Kevin Flynn, while Garrett Hedlund will portray Flynn's now-adult son, Sam. The other cast members include Bruce Boxleitner, Olivia Wilde, Beau Garrett and John Hurt. According to the teaser trailer shown at the 2008 and 2009 Comic Con.
The primary shooting location of the film was in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Test footage of the film was shown at the 2008 and 2009 San Diego Comic Con.
They originally shot 60,000 pictures, of which 9,600 prints were developed. They then shot over 1,800 pictures again to make this awesome stop motion video. Wow!
“It’s an incredible feeling to be back here after what feels like such a long time away, and it was such a struggle with me and my team,” Hamilton said. “Undoubtedly, we’ve caught up quite a bit, but we never really thought we had the pace to win. But the car felt fantastic.” - NY Times
Thank you, Speaker Nograles, Senate President Enrile, Senators, Representatives, Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, Ambassadors, friends: The past twelve months have been a year for the history books. Financial meltdown in the West spread throughout the world... Tens of millions lost their jobs; billions across the globe have been hurt—the poor always harder than the rich. No one was spared.... It has affected us already. But the story of the Philippines in 2008 is that the country weathered a succession of global crises in fuel, in food, then in finance and finally the economy in a global recession, never losing focus and with economic fundamentals intact... A few days ago, Moody’s has just announced the upgrade of our credit rating, citing the resilience of our economy. The state of our nation is a strong economy. Good news for our people, bad news for our critics... I did not become President to be popular. To work, to lead, to protect and preserve our country, our people, that is why I became President. When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years... Towards that vision, we made key reforms. Our economic plan centers on putting people first. Higit sa lahat ang layunin ng ating mga patakaran ay tulungan ang masipag na karaniwang Pilipino. New tax revenues were put in place to help pay for better healthcare, more roads, a strong education system. Housing policies were designed to lift up our poorest citizens so they can live and raise a family with dignity. Ang ating mga puhunan sa agrikultura ay naglalayong kilalanin ang ating mga magsasaka bilang backbone ng ating bansa, at bigyan sila ng mga modernong kagamitan to feed our nation and feed their own family.... Had we listened to the critics of those policies, had we not braced ourselves for the crisis that came, had we taken the easy road much preferred by politicians eyeing elections, this country would be flat on its back. It would take twice the effort just to get it back again on its feet—to where we are now because we took the responsibility and paid the political price of doing the right thing. For standing with me and doing the right thing, thank you, Congress... The strong, bitter and unpopular revenue measures of the past few years have spared our country the worst of the global financial shocks. They gave us the resources to stimulate the economy. Nabigyan nila ang pinakamalaking pagtaas ng IRA ng mga LGU na P40 billion itong taon, imparting strength throughout the country and at every level of government... Compared to the past, we have built more and better infrastructure, including those started by others but left unfinished. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a prime example of building better roads. It creates wealth as the flagship of the Subic-Clark corridor. We have built airports of international standard, upgraded domestic airports, built seaports and the RORO system. I ask Congress for a Philippine Transport Security Authority Law.... Some say that after this SONA, it will be all politics. Sorry, but there’s more work.... Sa telecommunications naman, inatasan ko ang Telecommunications Commission na kumilos na tungkol sa mga sumbong na dropped calls at mga nawawalang load sa cellphone. We need to amend the Commonwealth-era Public Service Law. And we need to do it now.... Kung noong nakaraan, lumakas ang electronics, today we are creating wealth by developing the BPO and tourism sectors as additional engines of growth. Electronics and other manufactured exports rise and fall in accordance with the state of the world economy. But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of $6 billion and employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and productivity. Let us have a Department of ICT.... In the last four years tourism almost doubled. It is now a $5 billion industry... Our reforms gave us the resources to protect our people, our financial system and our economy from the worst of shocks that the best in the west failed to anticipate.... They gave us the resources to do reforms para palawakin ang suportang panlipunan and enhance spending power....For helping e raise salaries through joint resolution, thank you Congress. Cash handouts give the most immediate relief and produce the widest stimulating effect. Nakikinabang ang 700,000 na pinakamahihirap na pamilya sa programang Pantawid Pamilya. Our preference is to invest in projects with the same stimulus effects but also with long-term contributions to national progress.... Sa pagpapamahagi ng milyun-milyong ektaryang lupa, 700,000 na katutubo at mahigit isang milyong benepisyaryo ng CARP ay taas-noong may-ari na ng sariling lupa. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na ipasa agad ang pagpapalawig ng CARP, at dapat ma-condone ang P42 billion na land reform liabilities dahil 18% lamang ang nabayaran mula 1972. Napapanahon dahil it will unfreeze the rural property market. Ang mahal kong ama ang nag-emancipate ng mga magsasaka. Ii-mancipate naman natin ngayon ang titulo.... Nakinabang ang pitong milyong entrepreneurs sa P165 billion na microfinance. Nakinabang ang 1,000 sa economic resiliency plan. Kasama natin ngayon ang isa sa kanila, si Gigi Gabiola. Dating household service worker sa Dubai, ngayon siya ay nagtatrabaho sa DOLE. Good luck, Gigi... Nakinabang ang isang milyong pamilya sa programang pabahay at palupa, mula sa PAG-IBIG, NHA, community mortgage program, certificates of lot awards, at saka yung inyong Loan Condonation and Restructuring Act.... Our average inflation is the lowest since 1966. Last June, it dropped to 1.5%. Paano nakamit ito? Proper policies lowered interest rates, which lowered costs to business and consumers. Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating ibenta ang bigas NFA sa P18.25 per kilo kahit tumaas ang presyo sa labas mula P17.50 hanggang P30 dahil sa kakulangan ng supply sa mundo. Habang, sa unang pagkakataon, naitaas ang pamimili ng palay sa mga magsasaka, P17 mula sa P11... Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating mamuhunan sa pagkain—anticipating an unexpected global food crisis. Nakagawa tayo ng libu-libong kilometro ng farm-to-market roads at kasama ng pribadong sector, natubigan ang dalawang milyong ektarya. Mga Badjao gaya ni Tarnati Dannawi ay tinuruan ng modernong mariculture. Umabot na sa P180,000 ang kinita niya mula noong nakaraang taon. Congratulations, Tarnati. We will help more fisherfolk shift to fish farming with a budget of P1 billion... Dahi dumarami na naman daw ang pamilyang nagugutom, mamumuhunan tayo ng bago sa Hunger Mitgation program na nakitang mabisa. Tulungan nito ako dito Kongreso... Mula noong 2001, Nanawagan tayo ng mas murang gamot. Nagbebenta na tayo ng mga gamot na kalahating presyo sa libu-libong Botika ng Bayan at Botika ng Barangay sa maraming dako ng bansa. Our efforts prodded the pharmaceutical companies to come up with low-cost generics and brands like RiteMed. I supported the tough version of the House of the Cheaper Medicine Law. I supported it over the weak version of my critics. The result: the drug companies volunteered to bring down drug prices, slashing by half the prices of 16 drugs. Thank you, Congressman Cua, Alvarez, Biron and Locsin.... Pursuant to law, I am placing other drugs under a maximum retail price. To those who want to be President, this advice: If you want something done, do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Just do it. Don't say bad words in public. Sa health insurance, sakop na ang 86% ng ating populasyon... Sa Rent Control Law ng 2005 hanggang 2008, hanggang sampung porsyento lang maaaring itaas taon-taon ang upa. Iyong kakapirma nating batas naglagay ng isang taong moratorium, tapos pitong porsyento lang ang maaaring itaas. Salamat, Kongreso.... Noong isang taon, nabiyayaan ng tig-P500 ang mahigit pitong milyong tahanan bilang Katas ng Pantawid Koryente para sa mga small electricity users.... Iyong power rates, ang EPIRA natin ang pangmatagalang sagot. EPIRA dismantled monopoly. But minana natin iyong power purchase agreements under preceding administrations, so hindi pa natin makuha iyong buong intended effect. Pero happy na rin tayo, dahil isang taon na lamang iyan. The next generation will benefit from low prices from our EPIRA. Thank you... Samantala, umabot na sa halos lahat ng barangay ang elektrisidad. We increased indigenous energy from 48% to 58%. Nakatipid tayo sa dollars tapos malaki pa ang na-reduce pa iyong oil consumption. The huge reduction in fossil fuel is the biggest proof of energy independence and environmental responsibility. Further reduction will come with the implementation of the Renewable Energy Act...and the Biofuels Act....again, thank you. The next generation will also benefit from our lower public debt to GDP ratio. It declined from 78% in 2000 to 55% in 2008. We cut in half the debt of government corporations from 15% to 7. Likewise foreign debt from 73% to 32%. Kung meron man tayong malaking kaaway na tinalo, walang iba kundi ang utang, iyong foreign debt. Past administrations conjured the demon of foreign debt. We exorcised it.... The market grows economies. A free market, not a free-for-all... To that end, we improved our banking system to complement its inherent conservatism. The Bangko Sentral has been prudent. Thank you, Governor Tetangco, for being so effective. The BSP will be even more effective if Congress will amend its Charter.... We worked on the Special Purpose Vehicle Act, reducing non-performing loans from 18% to 4% and improving loan-deposit ratios.... Our new Securitization Law did not encourage the recklessness that brought down giant banks and insurance companies elsewhere and laid their economies to waste. In fact, it monitors and regulates the new-fangled financial schemes. Thank you, Congress.... We will work to increase tax effort through improved collections and new sin taxes to further our capacity to reduce poverty and pursue growth. Revenue enhancement must come from the Department of Finance plugging leaks and catching tax and customs cheats. I call on tax-paying citizens and tax-paying businesses: help the BIR and Customs spot those cheats… Taxes should come from alcohol and tobacco and not from books. Tax hazards to lungs and livers, do not tax minds. Ang kita mula sa buwis sa alak at sigarilyo ay dapat pumunta sa kalusugan at edukasyon. Sa kalusugan, pondohan ang Philhealth premiums ng pinakamahihirap. Ponhodhan ang mas maraming classroom at computers..... Pardon my partiality for the teaching profession. I was a teacher.... Kaya namuhunan tayo ng malaki sa edukasyon at skills training.... Ang magandang edukasyon ay susi sa mas mabuting buhay, the great equalizer that allows every young Filipino a chance to realize their dreams... Nagtayo tayo ng 95,000 na silid-aralan, nagdagdag ng 60,000 na guro, naglaan ng P1.5 billion para sa teacher training, especially for 100,000 English teachers. Isa sa pinakamahirap na Millennium Development Goals ay iyong Edukasyon para sa Lahat pagdating ng 2015, na nangunguhulugang lahat ng nasa edad ay nasa grade school. Halos walang bansang nakakatupad nito. Ngunit nagsisikap tayo. Binaba natin ang gastos ng pagpasok. Nagtayo tayo ng mga eskwela sa higit isang libong barangay na dati walang eskwelahan, upang makatipid ng gastos ng pasahe ang mga bata. Tinanggal natin ang miscellaneous fees para sa primary school. Hindi na kailangan ang uniporme sa mga estudyante sa public schools... We assist financially half of all students in private high schools.... We have provided 600,000 college and post-graduate scholarships. One of them Mylene Amerol-Macumbal, finished Accounting at MSU-IIT, went to law school, and placed second in the last bar exams--the first Muslim woman bar topnotcher. Congratulations... In technical education and skills training, we have invested three times that of three previous administrations combined. Narito si Jennifer Silbor, isa sa sampung milyong trainee. Natuto siya ng medical transcription. Now, as an independent contractor and lecturer for transcriptions in Davao, kumikita siya ng P18,000 bawat buwan. Good job. The Presidential Task Force on Education headed by Jesuit educator Father Bienvenido Nebres has come out with the Main Education Highway towards a Knowledge-Based Economy. It envisions seamless education from basic to vocational school or college.... It seeks to mainstream early childhood development in basic education. Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years we must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and inquiring mind—and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job.... For college admission, the Task Force recommends mandatory Scholastic Aptitude Tests. It also recommends that private higher education institutions and state universities and colleges should be harmonized. It also recommends that CHED will oversee of local universities and colleges. For professions seeking international recognition—engineering, architecture, accountancy, pharmacy and physical therapy—it recommends radical reform: 10 years of basic education, two years of pre-university, three years of university... Our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever economic challenge life will throw in their way.... Sa hirap at ginhawa, ang ating overseas Filipinos ay pinapatatag ang ating bansa. Iyong padala nilang $16 billion noong isang taon ay record. Itong taon, mas mataas pa.... I know that this is not a sacrifice joyfully borne. This is work where it can be found—in faraway places, among strangers with different cultures. It is lonely work, it is very hard work.... Kaya nagsisikap tayong lumikha ng mga trabahong maganda ang bayad dito sa atin so that overseas work will just be a career choice, not the only option for a hardworking Filipino in search of a better life... Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile. Dapat gumawa tayo ng mga mas malakas na paraan upang proteksyonan at palawak ang halaga ng kanilang pinagsikapang sweldo. That means stronger consumer protection for OFWs investing in property and products back home. Para sa kanila, pinapakilos natin ang Investors Protection Task Force.... Hindi ako nag-aatubiling bisitahin ang ating taong bayan at ang kanilang mga hosts sa buong mundo – mula Hapon...hanggang Brazil, mula Europa at Middle East hanggang sa American Midwest, nakikinig sa kanilang mga problema at pangangailangan, inaalam kung paano matulungan sila n gating pamahalaan—-by working out better policies on migrant labor, or by saving lives and restoring liberty.... Pagpunta ko sa Saudi, pinatawad ni Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang OFW na nasa preso. Pinuno nila ang isang buong eroplano at umuwi kasama ko.... Mula sa ating State Visit to Spain, it has become our biggest European donor. At si Haring Juan Carlos ay nakikipag-usap sa ibang mga bansa para sa ating mga namomoblemang OFW. Ganoon di si Sheikh Khalifa, ang Prime Minister ng Bahrain.... Pagpunta ko sa Kuwait, Emir al-Sabah commuted death sentences. For overseas workers, maraming salamat. Our vigorous international engagement has helped bring in foreign investment. Net foreign direct investments multiplied 15 times during our administration. Kasama ng ating mga Together with our OFWs, they more than doubled our foreign exchange reserves. Pinalakas ang ating piso at naiwasan ang lubhang pagtaasng presyo. They upgraded our credit because our reserves grew by $3 billion while those of our peers have shrunk..... Our international engagement has also corrected historical injustice. The day we visited Washington, Senator Daniel Inouye successfully sponsored benefits for our veterans as part of America’s fiscal stimulus package... I have accepted the invitation of President Obama to be the first Southeast Asian leader to meet him at the White House, this week.... That he sought us the Philippines testifies to our strong and deep ties.... High on our agenda will be peace and security issues. Terrorism: how to meet it, how to end it, how to address its roots in injustice and prejudice—and most and always how to protect lives.... We will also discuss nuclear non-proliferation. The Philippines will chair the review of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation Treaty in New York in May 2010. The success of the talks will be a major diplomatic achievement for us.... There is a range of other issues we will discuss, including the global challenge of climate change, especially the threat to countries with long coastlines. And there is the global recession, its worse impact on poor people, and the options that can spare them from the worst. In 2008 up to the first quarter of 2009 we stood among only a few economies in Asia-Pacific that did not shrink. Compare this in 2001, when some of my current critics were driven out by people power, Asia was then surging but our country was on the brink of bankruptcy.... Since then, our economy has posted uninterrupted growth for 33 quarters; more than doubled its size from $76 billion to $186 billion. The average GDP growth from 2001 to the first quarter of 2009 is the highest in 43 years. Bumaba ang bilang ng nagsasabing mahihirap sila, mula 59% sa 47%. Kahit na lumaki ang ating populasyon, nabawasan ng dalawang milyon ang bilang ng mahihirap. GNP per capita rose from a Third World $967 to $2,051. Lumikha tayo ng walong milyong trabaho, an average of a million per year, much, much more than at any other time.... In sum: 1. We have a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand political shocks.... 2. We built new modern infrastructure and completed unfinished ones. 3. The economy is more fair to the poor than ever before.... 4. We are building a sound base for the next generation.... 5. International authorities have taken notice that we are safer from environmental degradation and man-made disasters.... As a country in the path of typhoons and in the Pacific Rim of Fire, we must be as prepared as the latest technology permits to anticipate natural calamities when that is possible; to extend immediate and effective relief when it is not….The mapping of flood- and landslide-prone areas is almost complete. Early warning, forecasting and monitoring systems have been improved, with weather tracking facilities in Subic, Tagaytay, Mactan, Mindanao, Pampanga.... We have worked on flood control infrastructure like those for Pinatubo, Agno, Laoag, and Abucay, which will pump the run off waters from Quezon City and Tondo flooding Sampaloc. This will help relieve hundreds of hectares in this old city of its age-old woe.... Patuloy naman iyong sa Camanava, dagdag sa Pinatubo, Iloilo, Pasig-Marikina, Bicol River Basin, at mga river basin ng Mindanao.... The victims of typhoon Frank in Panay should receive their long-overdue assistance package. I ask Congress to pass the SNITS Law.... Namana natin ang pinakamatagal ng rebelyon ng Komunista sa buong mundo. Si Leah de la Cruz isa sa labindalawang libong rebel returnee. Sixteen pa lang siya nang sumali sa NPA. Naging kasapi sa regional White Area Committee, napromote sa Leyte Party Committee Secretary. Nahuli noong 2006. She is now involved in an LGU-supported handicraft livelihood training of former rebels. We love you, Leah! There is now a good prospect for peace talks both with both the Communist Party of the Philippines and the MILF, with whom we are now on ceasefire.... We inherited an age-old conflict in Mindanao, exacerbated by a politically popular but near-sighted policy of massive retaliation. This only provoked the other side to continue the war.... In these two internal conflicts, ang tanong ay hindi, “Sino ang mananalo?” kundi, bakit ba kailangang mag-away ang kapwa Pilipino tungkol sa mga isyu na alam ng dalawang panig over issues na malulutas naman sa paraang demokratiko. There is nothing more that I would wish for than peace in Mindanao. It will be a blessing for all its people, Muslim, Christian and lumads. It will show other religiously divided communities that there can be common ground on which to live together in peace, harmony and cooperation that respects each other’s religious beliefs.... At sa lahat ng dako ng bansa, kailangan nating protektahan an gating mamamayan kontra sa krimen -- in their homes, in their neighborhoods, in their communities. How shall crime be fought? Through the five pillars of justice. We call on Congress to fund more policemen on the streets.... Real government is about looking beyond the vested to the national interest, setting up the necessary conditions to enable the next, more enabled and more empowered generation to achieve a country as prosperous, a people as content, as ours deserve to be.... The noisiest critics of constitutional reform tirelessly and shamelessly attempted Cha-Cha when they thought they could take advantage of a shift in the form of government. Now that they feel they cannot benefit from it, they oppose it. As the process of fundamental political reform begins, let us address the highest exercise of democracy...voting! In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it, thanks to Congress.... At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage...but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state—to the very last day.... A year is a long time. Patuloy ang pamumuhunan sa tinatawag na three E’s ng ekonomiya, environment at edukasyon. There are many perils that we must still guard against.... A man-made calamity is already upon us, global in scale. As I said earlier, so far we have been spared its worst effects but we cannot be complacent. We only know that we have generated more resources on which to draw, and thereby created options we could take. Thank God we did not let our critics stop us.... As the campaign unfolds and the candidates take to the airwaves, I ask them to talk more about how they will build up the nation rather than tear down their opponents. Our candidates must understand the complexities of our government and what it takes to move the country forward. Give the electorate real choices and not just sweet talk.... Meanwhile, I will keep a steady hand on the tiller, keeping the ship of state away from the shallows some prefer, and steering it straight on the course I set in 2001.... Ang ating taong bayan ay masipag at maka-Diyos. These qualities are epitomized in someone like Manny Pacquiao....Manny trained tirelessly, by the book, with iron discipline, with the certain knowledge that he had to fight himself, his weaknesses first, before he could beat his opponent. That was the way to clinch his victories and his ultimate title: ang pinakadakilang boksingero sa kasaysayan..........Mabuhay ka, Manny! However much a President wishes it, a national problem cannot be knocked out with a single punch. A President must work with the problem as much as against it, and turn it into a solution if I can… There isn’t a day I do not work at my job or a waking moment when I do not think through a work-related problem. Even my critics cannot begrudge the long hours I put in. Our people deserve-a-government that works just as hard as they do... A President must be on the job 24/7, ready for any contingency, any crisis, anywhere, anytime.... Everything right can be undone by even a single wrong. Every step forward must be taken in the teeth of political pressures and economic constraints that could push you two steps back-if-you flinch and falter.. I have not flinched, I have not faltered. Hindi ako umaatras sa hamon.... And I have never done any of the things that have scared my worst critics so much. They are frightened by their own shadows.... In the face of attempted coups, I issued emergency proclamations just in case. But I was able to resolve these military crises with the ordinary powers of my office. My critics call it dictatorship. I call it determination.... We know it as strong government.... But I never declared martial law, though they are running scared as if I did. In truth, what they are really afraid of is their weakness in the face of this self-imagined threat.... I say to them: do not tell us what we all know, that democracy can be threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked.... I know what to do: I know what to do, as I have shown, I will defend democracy with arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is weakened by division; with law and order where it is subverted by anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of economic progress, so that a democracy means not just an empty liberty but a full life for all.... I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts.... I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve. And we did it.... I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my office for personal profit. Many of those who accuse me of it have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime.... We can read their frustrations. They had the chance to serve this good country and they blew it by serving themselves.... Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there.... Our administration, with the highest average rate of growth, recording multiple increases in investments, with the largest job creation in history, and which gets a credit upgrade at the height of a world recession, must be doing something right, even if some of those cocooned in corporate privilege refuse to recognize it.... Governance, however, is not about looking back and getting even. It is about looking forward and giving more—to the people who gave us the greatest, hardest gift of all: the care of a country. From Bonifacio at Balintawak to Cory Aquino at EDSA and up to today, we have struggled to bring power to the people, and this country to the eminence it deserves.... Today the Philippines is weathering well the storm that is raging around the world. It is growing stronger with the challenge. When the weather clears, as it will, there is no telling how much farther forward it can go. Believe in it. I believe... We can and we must-march-forward-with-hope, optimism and determination. We must come together, work together and walk together toward the future. Bagamat malaking hamon ang nasa ating harapan, nasa kamay natin ang malaking kakayahan. Halina’t pagtulungan nating tiyakin ang karapat-dapat na kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan.... And to the people of our good country, for allowing me to serve as your President, maraming salamat. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
Result of NURSE LICENSURE EXAMINATION Held on JUNE 6 and 7, 2009 Released on JULY 23, 2009. A total of 32,617 out of 77,901 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination, the Professional Regulation announced Saturday.
Golda Manto Yap, a graduate of the Felipe R. Verallo Memorial Foundation, topped the exams, getting an average score of 86.80 percent.
The Board of Nursing conducted the test last June in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Sulu, Pagadian and Zamboanga. Click here to view the Result.
For those who have passed the exam congratulations!
Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have tentatively agreed to fight in Las Vegas on November 14, giving the world's best pound-for-pound boxer a very challenging fight against a highly ranked opponent -- and ensuring that we won't see Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather any time soon.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Bob Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, says he's close to getting contractual arrangements worked out for Pacquiao and Cotto to fight each other. The fighters would have to agree on how they would split the purse and how much they'd both weigh before the deal can get done, but Arum indicated that Cotto -- not Shane Mosley -- is Pacquiao's likely next opponent:
"I hope to put it together this week, to get an agreement on terms," Arum told The Times on Monday in a telephone interview from his Top Rank headquarters in Las Vegas. ...
"Shane's a terrific fighter, but for now he's the second choice," Arum said. "If we can't put together a Pacquiao-Cotto fight, we'll reach out to Shane."
Cotto beat Joshua Clottey by split decision on Saturday, with Pacquiao sitting at ringside. Although Cotto suffered a very serious cut on an accidental head butt during the fight, he is expected to be ready to begin sparring again in time to prepare for a November bout.
A Cotto vs. Pacquiao fight would be one of the biggest of the year in boxing. But it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing for boxing fans, because it would also be a step away from the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather superfight that everyone wants to see.
The Houston medical clinic office of Jackson’s doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray was raided by Los Angeles police last night. Dr. Murray was the last person to see Jackson alive.
Detectives collected 21 documents and a forensic image of Murray’s hard drive when the Jackson doctor’s office was raided. Check out the Today show video clip of Dr. Murray’s office raid to collect evidence in a possible case of manslaughter.
The clash between lawmakers occurred inside the main chamber of Parliament with an angry exchange of words. Women legislators from the rival parties joined in the scuffle, grabbing each other by the neck and trying to bring opponents to the floor.
On August 9, 2009 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada the (WEC) World Extreme Cagefighting will held another big mixed martial arts event the 'WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles'. Bantamweight champion Miguel Torres will defend his title against number one contender Brian Bowles in the main event.
Main Fight Card:(televised 9pm ET @ Versus Channel)
Champion Miguel Torres vs. Brian Bowles (for WEC bantamweight title)
The Tour De France 2009 is the 99th Tour De France which started last July 04, 2009 and will end on July 26, 2009. Tour De France 2009 will be expecting over a million view form all over the globe.
Outstanding Comedy Series ENTOURAGE FAMILY GUY FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER THE OFFICE 30 ROCK WEEDS
Outstanding Drama Series BIG LOVE BREAKING BAD DAMAGES DEXTER HOUSE LOST MAD MEN
Outstanding Reality Competition THE AMAZING RACE AMERICAN IDOL DANCING WITH THE STARS PROJECT RUNWAY TOP CHEF
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Brian Cranston, BREAKING BAD Gabriel Byrne, IN TREATMENT Michael C Hall, DEXTER Hugh Laurie, HOUSE John Hamm, MAD MEN Simon Baker, THE MENTALIST
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Kyra Sedgwick, THE CLOSER Glenn Close, DAMAGES Mariska Hargitay, LAW & ORDER: SVU Elisabeth Moss, MAD MEN Sally Field, BROTHERS & SISTERS Holly Hunter, SAVING GRACE
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Jermaine Clement, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Steve Carell, THE OFFICE Alec Baldwin, 30 ROCK Jim Parsons, BIG BANG THEORY Tony Shaloub, MONK Charlie Sheen, TWO AND A HALF MEN
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Christina Applegate, SAMANTHA WHO Toni Collette, UNITED STATES OF TARA Tina Fey, 30 ROCK Julia Louise-Dreyfus, NEW ADVENTURES… Mary Louise Parker, WEEDS Sarah Silverman, THE SARAH SILVERMAN SHOW
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Cherry Jones, 24 Rose Byrne, DAMAGES Sandra Oh, GREY’S ANATOMY Chandra Wilson, GREY’S ANATOMY Dianne Wiest, IN TREATMENT
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Christian Clemenson, BOSTON LEGAL Michael Emerson, LOST William Hurt, DAMAGES Aaron Paul, BREAKING BAD William Shatner, BOSTON LEGAL John Slattery, MAD MEN
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Jon Cryer, TWO AND A HALF MEN Kevin Dillon, ENTOURAGE Tracy Morgan, 30 ROCK Jack McBrayer, 30 ROCK Neil Patrick Harris, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Kristin Chenoweth, PUSHING DAISIES Jane Krakowski, 30 ROCK Elizabeth Perkins, WEEDS Amy Poehler, SNL Kristin Wiig, SNL Vanessa Williams, UGLY BETTY
Outstanding Music, Variety, or Comedy The Daily Show The Colbert Report The Late Show with David Letterman Real Time with Bill Maher Saturday Night Live
Made-for-TV Movie Coco Chanel, Lifetime Grey Gardens, HBO Into the Storm, HBO Prayers for Bobby, Lifetime Taking Chance, HBO
Actor, Miniseries or Movie Kevin Kline, Cyrano de Bergerac, PBS Brendan Gleeson, Into the Storm, HBO Ian McKellen, King Lear, PBS Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance, HBO Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption, Fox Kenneth Branagh, Wallander: One Step Behind, PBS
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie Ken Howard, Grey Gardens, HBO Len Cariou, Into the Storm, HBO Bob Newhart, The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice, TNT Tom Courtenay, Little Dorrit, PBS Andy Serkis, Little Dorrit, PBS
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie Marcia Gay Harden, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, CBS Jeanne Tripplehorn, Grey Gardens, HBO Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Saddam, HBO Janet McTeer, Into the Storm, HBO Cicely Tyson, Relative Stranger, Hallmark Channel
The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on September 20, 2009. CBS will broadcast the event, which will take place again at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The nominations for the Awards were announced on July 16.
While fighting with Sasuke,Jugo remembers how he met his friend - Kimimaro,and what he experienced with him.After Sasuke tells Jugo that Kimimaro has died for his sake,Jugo agrees in going with them,believing that Kimimaro is reincarnated in Sasuke.After gathering them and informing them that his goal is to kill Itachi Uchiha of the Akatsuki,Sasuke names his team "Hebi".Both Naruto and Sasuke declare that they have only one target - Itachi Uchiha.
2009 ESPY Awards Live Online Streaming, Results and Updates. The 2009 ESPY Awards will take place at Nokia Theatre Los Angeles on July 19,2009 at exactly 9:00 P.M. ET. 2009 ESPY Awards will be hosted by Samuel Jackson to honor the coolest & best star athletes and memorable moments from the past year.
Manny Pacquiao got the 'Best Fighter' Award! We are proud of you.
UPDATED
BEST IN SPORT
Best Female Athlete: Nastia Liukin, Gymnastics
Best Male Athlete: Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Best Moment: US Swim team wins thrilling finish in Olympic relay
Best Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Best Coach/Manager: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Best Game: Steelers vs. Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII
Best Championship Performance: Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Best Play: Roethlisberger to Holmes Super Bowl Winning TD
Best Upset: US Soccer shocks Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Best Record Breaking Performance: Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Best Sports Movie: The Express: The Ernie Davis Story
Best Male College Athlete: Tim Tebow, Florida Football
Best Female College Athlete: Maya Moore, Connecticut Women's Basketball
Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Jason Lester, Ironman Triathlete
Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Erin Popovich, Swimming
Best International Male Athlete: Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Sprinter)
Best International Female Athlete: Lorena Ochoa (Mexico, Golf)
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
Best Baseball Player: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Best NBA Player: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
Best NFL Player: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Best NHL Player: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Best MLS Player: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
Best Male Action Sports Athlete: Shaun White, Skateboarding/Snowboarding
Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Maya Gabeira, Surfing
Best Bowler: Norm Duke
Best Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Best Fighter: Manny Pacquiao, Boxing
Best Male Golfer: Tiger Woods
Best Female Golfer: Lorena Ochoa
Best Jockey: Calvin Borel
SPECIAL AWARDS
Arthur Ashe Courage Award: President Nelson Mandela
Jimmy V Award For Perseverance: Don Meyer, Northern State University coach
Best Comeback: Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer
2009 ESPY Award winners have been selected thereafter exclusively through online fan balloting conducted from amongst candidates selected by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee.
Our very own Manny Manny Pacquiao was nominated as the 'Best Fighter' on Boxing. So don't missed this event this is gonna a big Sports events awards for 2009.
Best Male Athlete Kobe Bryant NBA LeBron James NBA Jimmie Johnson Auto Racing Michael Phelps Swimming
Best Female Athlete Natalie Coughlin Swimming Nastia Liukin Gymnastics Maya Moore NCAA Basketball Candace Parker WNBA Serena Williams Tennis
Best Moment Florida's Tim Tebow's speech Helio Castroneves wins the Indy 500 US swim team wins thrilling finish in Olympic relay
Best Team Connecticut Women's Basketball Los Angeles Lakers North Carolina Men's Basketball Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Coach-Manager Geno Auriemma Connecticut Women's Basketball Dan Bylsma Pittsburgh Penguins Phil Jackson Los Angeles Lakers Joe Maddon Tampa Bay Rays Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Game Federer vs. Nadal 2008 Wimbledon Final Steelers vs. Cardinals Super Bowl XLIII Syracuse vs. Connecticut Big East Tournament Quarterfinals
Best Championship Performance Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies Michael Phelps Olympic Swimming Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh Olympic Beach Volleyball
Best Play Ovechkin vs. Rangers Pacquiao KO's Hatton Roethlisberger to Holmes Super Bowl Winning TD Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree makes game-winning catch vs. Texas
Best Upset Mine That Bird Oregon State stuns then #1 USC Tampa Bay Rays win the American League Championship Series US Soccer shocks Spain in the Confederations Cup Semifinals
Best Breakthrough Athlete Shawn Johnson Olympic Gymnastics Evan Longoria Tampa Bay Rays Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons
Best Record Breaking Performance Usain Bolt Olympic Sprinter Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals Phil Jackson Los Angeles Lakers Michael Phelps Olympic Swimmer
Best Sports Movie The Express: The Ernie Davis Story Sugar The Wrestler
Best Male College Athlete Sam Bradford Oklahoma Football Matt Gilroy Boston University Hockey Blake Griffin Oklahoma Basketball Stephen Strasburg San Diego State Baseball Tim Tebow Florida Football
Best Female College Athlete Kerri Hanks Notre Dame Women's Soccer Courtney Kupets Georgia Gymnastics Danielle Lawrie Washington Softball Maya Moore Connecticut Women's Basketball Dana Vollmer California Swimming
Best Male Athlete With A Disability Jeremy Campbell Track and Field Will Groulx Wheelchair Rugby Jason Lester Ironman Oscar Pistorius Track and Field
Best Female Athlete With A Disability Jessica Long Swimming Maureen McKinnon-Tucker Sailing Asya Miller Goalball Erin Popovich Swimming
Best Male International Athlete Usain Bolt Jamaica, Sprinter Pau Gasol Spain, Basketball Lionel Messi Argentina, Soccer Rafael Nadal Spain, Tennis Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal, Soccer
Best Baseball Player Roy Halladay Toronto Blue Jays Ryan Howard Philadelpia Phillies Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals Francisco Rodriguez Los Angeles Angels/New York Mets
Best NBA Player Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard Orlando Magic LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers Dwyane Wade Miami Heat
Best WNBA Player Deanna Nolan Detroit Shock Candace Parker Los Angeles Sparks Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Lindsay Whalen Connecticut Sun
Best NFL Player Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals
Best NHL Player Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Pavel Datsyuk Detroit Red Wings Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins Alexander Ovechkin Washington Capitals
Best MLS Player Juan Pablo Angel New York Red Bulls Jon Busch Chicago Fire Kenny Cooper FC Dallas Landon Donovan LA Galaxy Guillermo Barros Schletto Columbus Crew
Best Male Action Sports Athlete Ryan Sheckler Skateboarding Kelly Slater Surfing James Stewart Motocross Shaun White Snowboarding/Skateboarding
Best Female Action Sports Athlete Torah Bright Snowboarding Sarah Burke Skiing Ashley Fiolek Motocross Maya Gabeira Surfing
Best US Male Olympian Bryan Clay Track and Field LaShawn Merritt Track and Field Michael Phelps Swimming Angelo Taylor Track and Field
Best US Female Olympian Natalie Coughlin Swimming Dawn Harper Track and Field Shawn Johnson Gymnastics Nastia Liukin Gymnastics
Best Bowler Chris Barnes Norm Duke Wes Malott
Best Driver Helio Castroneves Scott Dixon Lewis Hamilton Jimmie Johnson Tony Schumacher
Best Fighter Lyoto Machida MMA Shane Mosley Boxing Manny Pacquiao Boxing Anderson Silva MMA
Best Male Golfer Padraig Harrington Phil Mickelson Tiger Woods
Best Female Golfer Paula Creamer Lorena Ochoa Suzann Pettersen
Best Jockey Calvin Borel Garrett Gomez Mike Smith
Best Male Tennis Player Roger Federer Rafael Nadal
Best Female Tennis Player Svetlana Kuznetsova Dinara Safina Serena Williams
Under Armour All-America Moment Jake Bernhardt Lacrosse Tara Glover Softball David Renfroe Baseball Hannah Werth Volleyball Andre Debose & Russell Shepard Football Watch 2009 ESPY Awards Live Stream!
The VMAs (Video Music Awards) will be at NYC’s Madison Square Garden in September and feature a West Side Story theme. Russell Brand will return to the MTV Video Music Awards as host again this year. You should also know that they have lined up performances by Taylor Swift and Muse. So Subscribe to our feeds now and watch here the live online streaming and replay videos.
I don’t know but I think I maybe Fallin’ for you Dropping so quickly Maybe I should Keep this to myself Waiting ’til I Know you better
I am trying Not to tell you But I want to I’m scared of what you’ll say So I’m hiding what I’m feeling But I’m tired of Holding this inside my head
I’ve been spending all my time Just thinking about ya I don’t know what to do I think I’m fallin’ for you I’ve been waiting all my life and now I found ya I don’t know what to do I think I’m fallin’ for you I’m fallin’ for you
As I’m standing here And you hold my hand Pull me towards you And we start to dance All around us I see nobody Here in silence It’s just you and me
I’m trying Not to tell you But I want to I’m scared of what you’ll say So I’m hiding what I’m feeling But I’m tired of Holding this inside my head
I’ve been spending all my time Just thinking about ya I don’t know what to do I think I’m fallin’ for you I’ve been waiting all my life and now I found ya I don’t know what to do I think I’m fallin’ for you I’m fallin’ for you
Oh I just can’t take it My heart is racing The emotions keep spinning out
I’ve been spending all my time Just thinking about ya I don’t know what to do I think I’m fallin’ for you I’ve been waiting all my life and now I found ya I don’t know what to do I think I’m fallin’ for you I’m fallin’ for you
I can’t stop thinking about it I want you all around me And now I just can’t hide it I think I’m fallin’ for you (x2)
Watch the film based on the novel of Written by J. K. Rowling the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This would be the 6th Harry Potter movie and this is directed by David Heyman. Here is a little glimpse on the movie.
Emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters are wreaking havoc in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that new dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. He needs Harry to help him uncover a vital key to unlocking Voldemort's defenses critical information known only to Hogwarts' former Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn. With that in mind, Dumbledore manipulates his old colleague into returning to his previous post with promises of more money, a bigger office and the chance to teach the famous Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry's long friendship with Ginny Weasley is growing into something deeper, but standing in the way is Ginny's boyfriend, Dean Thomas, not to mention her big brother Ron. But Ron's got romantic entanglements of his own to worry about, with Lavender Brown lavishing her affections on him, leaving Hermione simmering with jealousy yet determined not to show her feelings. And then a box of love potion-laced chocolates ends up in the wrong hands and changes everything. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof with far more important matters on his mind. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
The UFC announced the main event and the co-main event bouts for the UFC Fight Night 19 event. The main event will headline Nate Diaz taking on Melvin Guillard and Roger Huerta makes his octagon return to fight Gray Maynard as part of the co-main event.
The UFC Fight Night 19, is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on September 16, 2009 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
TUF 10 (The Ultimate Fighter 10) cast info and their background details. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson And Rashad “Sugar” Evans will be coaching the 16 Heavyweights in a goal to acquire a six-figure contract with the UFC.
Zak Jensen (11-2): The 6-foot-4, 265-pound 26-year-old Jensen was a collegiate wrestler and football player at Northern Illinois University and Augsburg College. After college, he found success in “Tough Man” competitions and Golden Gloves competitions and eventually made the move to MMA in 2007.
Marcus Jones (4-1): The 6-foot-6, 260-pound 35-year-old Jones is the most prolific of the show’s NFL quartet. While playing defensive end at the University of North Carolina, Jones was an All-American and the 1995 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and became the 1996 first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After eight successful years in the NFL, he joined Gracie Tampa and made the transition to MMA.
Scott Junk (6-2): The 6-foot-1, 265-pound 30-year-old Junk was a former Division II All-American football player at Southwest Oklahoma State. After college, Junk began training in mixed martial arts, earning his way into the UFC in 2007. Junk, who took the fight on less-than-two-weeks’ notice, suffered a first-round submission loss to Christian Wellisch.
John Madsen (3-0): The 6-foot, 240-pound 29-year-old Madsen grew up in South Dakota, where he earned all-conference and all-state honors in football, wrestling and track. After defeating current UFC champion Brock Lesnar in a high-school wrestling match, Madsen went on to earn a Division II wrestling national championship at South Dakota State University. Madsen currently trains at Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. Squad.
James McSweeney (12-4): The 6-foot-4, 230-pound 28-year-old Englishman McSweeney started with a striking background, beginning his training in kickboxing at 6 years old before moving to Thailand to train full-time. After amassing a 136-9 combined record in multiple kickboxing organizations, McSweeney moved in with former UFC champion Rashad Evans and now trains full time at Greg Jackson’s MMA in New Mexico.
Matt Mitrione (0-0): The 6-foot-3, 275-pound 30-year-old was a two-position football All-American while in high school. After attending Purdue University and earning All-Big Ten honors, Mitrione played six seasons in the NFL as a member of the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. Following a devastating injury, Mitrione returned to his childhood passion of combat sports and began training with UFC veterans Chris Lytle and Jake O’Brien.
Roy Nelson (14-4): The 6-foot-1, 265-pound 33-year-old was born and raised in Las Vegas, training in martial arts from an early age while playing football, baseball and wrestling. After turning pro, Nelson surprised many opponents with his less-than-impressive physique. “Big Country” earned the now-defunct IFL’s heavyweight crown, before suffering recent losses to notables Jeff Monson and Andrei Arlovski.
Demico Rogers (4-0): The 6-foot-4, 235-pound 27-year-old was a stand-out wrestler and football player while attending high school in his native Washington. Rogers began training jiu-jitsu as a means of staying in shape, and after winning a local mixed martial arts tournament, he began to focus on the sport as a potential career.
Brendan Schaub (4-0): The 6-foot-4, 240-pound 26-year-old credits the Jean Claude Van Damme movie “Bloodsport” as his inspiration to pursue martial arts. Growing up in Colorado, Schaub was an all-state athlete in both football and lacrosse. Schaub went on to play fullback at the University of Colorado before later playing in the Arena Football League and earning a spot on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in the NFL. Schaub remained active in tae kwon do and jiu-jitsu, and he currently trains at T’s KO Fight Club and Jackson’s MMA.
Darill Schoonover (10-0): The 6-foot-2, 250-pound 24-year-old Schoonover grew up in Texas and began training in jiu-jitsu, judo and submission grappling at 17. After graduating high school, Schoonover entered the Army, serving two years in the armed forces. Schoonover remains on active reserve while pursuing a career in teaching, though with 10-stoppages wins in 10 trips to the cage, mixed martial arts may quickly take precedence.
Wes Shivers (3-1): The 6-foot-7, 285-pound 32-year-old Shivers grew up in Mississippi, earning a scholarship to play football at Mississippi State University. Shivers earned all-SEC honors before playing in the NFL with both the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. Shivers followed his football career with a four-year stint in law enforcement. Shivers continues to train in Mississippi, including with UFC veteran Alan Belcher.
Wes Sims (22-12-1): The 6-foot-10, 260-pound 29-year-old Sims originally planned to pursue a career in professional wrestling before UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman convinced “The Project” to take a shot at mixed martial arts. Sims earned his way into the UFC in 2003, dropping back-to-back outings to current UFC interim champion Frank Mir. Sims currently runs a gym in his native Ohio.
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (3-1): The 6-foot-1, 235-pound 35-year-old Ferguson needs little introduction to hardcore or casual MMA fans. The streetfighting YouTube sensation played football at the University of Miami before working as a bodyguard, earning extra money with his bareknuckle brawling exploits. A four-time veteran of the now-defunct EliteXC, Fergsuon last fought in a now-infamous loss to Seth Petruzelli.
Abe Wagner (6-2): The 6-foot-4, 265-pound 29-year-old Wagner grew up in Wisconsin, excelling in both football and basketball while in high school. Wagner played linebacker at Michigan Tech University, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. Wagner began training in mixed martial arts in 2005.
Mike Wessel (6-1): The 6-foot, 255-pound 31-year-old Wessel was raised in Ohio, eventually playing his way onto the University of St. Francis football team. Wessel played briefly in the Arena Football League before accepting a position as the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arkansas. Wessel suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Antoni Hardonk in his lone UFC appearance at UFC 92 in December 2008.
Justin Wren (10-1): The 6-foot-3, 264-pound 22-year-old Wren was a two-time high-school national champion wrestler in his native Texas, earning a spot on the Iowa State University wrestling team before an injury forced him to take a year off and recover. During his time away from wrestling, Wren focused his energy on mixed martial arts training, eventually electing to turn pro. Wren trains in Texas with “The Ultimate Fighter 4″ champ Travis Lutter, and he plans on moving to Las Vegas to train full-time with current UFC interim champ Frank Mir.
