OVERFLOWING DAMS

"Damn those Dams" said a friend on a Social Network. Why was he reacting that way? It is because the water levels in major dams continue to rise due to heavy rains spawned by the southwest monsoon according to PAGASA.

As of 6 a.m., La Mesa Dam in Quezon City has overflowed and was at 80.54 meters, over and above its spilling level of 80.15meters, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

An overflow usually affects nearby areas such as:

• Tullahan River in Fairview
• Forest Hill
• Quirino Highway
• Capri
• Goodwill Homes in Sta. Quiteria
• Villages of San Bartolome in Quezon City
• Ligon North Expressway 
• La Huerta in Valenzuela 
• Malabon.

Ipo Dam in Bulacan opened two gates after its water level reached 101.10 meters, beyond its spilling level of 100.80 meters.

Part of the released water from Ipo Dam goes to La Mesa Dam.

Ambuklao Dam in Benguet is at 751.72 meters, nearing its spilling level of 752.00 meters. Two of its gates have been opened.

Three gates remain open in Binga Dam in Benguet after its water level reached 574.32 meters, also close to its spilling level of 575.00 meters.

San Roque Dam in Pangasinan is beyond its spilling level of 280.00 meters. Its water level has reached 283.36 meters as two of its gates were now open.

When Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque dams release water, the following municipalities in Pangasinan are likely to be affected:

• San Manuel
• San Nicolas
• Tayug
•  Sta Maria
•  Asingan
•  Villasis
•  Alcala
•  Bautista
•  Rosales
•  Bayambang

Magat Dam in Isabela is also beyond its spiling level of 190.00. Its water level is now at 191.42 meters.

Meanwhile, Caliraya Dam in Quezon is also nearing its spilling level of 288.00 meters. It is now at 287.27 meters.

WORK SUSPENSION

Better late than never! Please take care of yourselves. There's flood everywhere! 

In a Memorandum Circular No. 33 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. Malacanang announced the suspension of classes and work in government offices in Metro Manila and nine provinces today, Tuesday, due to non-stop rains brought about by the southwest monsoon locally known as Habagat.

Work in government offices and classes in college level are suspended today, 07August 2012 in the following locations:

• NCR (National Capital Region) 
• province of Zambales
• Bataan
• Pampanga
• Pangasinan
• Tarlac
• Bulacan
• Laguna
• Cavite
• Rizal

The same directive, however, said that agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of vital public services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services.

House also suspends session. PSE suspends trading. Work in courts are also suspended. MMDA lifted number coding except in Makati. 

#Twitter Update:

As of 7:20 AM

Twitter Updates: DOLE Sec. Rosalina Baldoz: Work in PRIVATE offices in NCR are suspended.
As of 7:40 AM

DOLE Sec. Baldoz CONFIRMS on LIVE interview on UKG that she has NO AUTHORITY to SUSPEND WORK in private offices and companies. Private companies still has the DISCRETION / DECISION on suspension.

UKG has announcement billboard for work suspension in private companies (but to be verified by employees on their own through a number given). For your own safety, just miss work today whether there’s suspension or not.

As of 10 AM

Malacanang has announced suspension of work in private companies in NCR. #NoWorkToday #Suspended

CARLO ROSSI: California Sweet Red A Matter of Taste

Philippine style of merry making almost always includes wine drinking, be it during birthdays, wedding, baptism and during a simple get-together or karaoke session.

Moderate intake of red wine improves cardiovascular health. A fact, that was backed up in 1992 by Harvard researchers. They specifically suggested that red wine is the most beneficial to your heart health. Yes, you read it right, drinking red wine in moderation is one of the eight proven ways to reduce coronary heart disease risk. The cardioprotective effect has been attributed to antioxidants present in the skin and seeds of red grapes.

Scientists believe the antioxidants, called flavonoids, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in three ways: 

• by reducing production of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (also know as the "bad" cholesterol) 
• by boosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good cholesterol) 
• by reducing blood clotting. Furthermore, consuming a glass of wine along with a meal may favorably influence your lipid profiles following that meal.

One study found that the antioxidant resveratrol, which is prevalent in the skin of red grapes, may inhibit tumor development in some cancers. Another study indicated that resveratrol aided in the formation of nerve cells, which experts believe may be helpful in the treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

As a symbol of status and celebration, wine-drinking has become a part of many Filipino festivities and has become evident in Philippine lifestyle. While it has become a common sight, one may note that a hurdle to wine drinking among Filipinos is the preference for sweetness.                   
Carlo Rocci is a Sweet Red California made Red Wine. Experts described the Sweet Red as soft, mild, and sweet. At 8% as an alcohol delivery system it's more effective than beer.

A red wine that fits the Filipino taste, Rossi Sweet Red provides a well balanced palate, complemented by fresh fruit flavors and a velvety soft-finish.
 
As a symbol of status and celebration, wine-drinking has become a part of many Filipino festivities and has become evident in Philippine lifestyle. While it has become a common sight, one may note that a hurdle to wine drinking among Filipinos is the preference for sweetness.
“We Pinoys are known to have sweet tooth. We love sweet delicacies and it is apparent in our usual practices like cooking.                     
                                                                      
For instance, most of us enjoy our spaghetti because it’s sweet. There’s no wonder we also look for that sweetness in drinks, even in wines. Globally also, there is a growing preference for sweet wines,” shares Von de Torres, Managing Director of Emperador Distillers, the company that distributes the Carlo Rossi brand of red and white wines in the Philippines.

The market of wine drinkers has been growing and can be somehow attributed to the openness of females to wine drinking because of its perceived health benefits. However, the preference for sweet wine is dominant since they find dry wines bitter. To satisfy this, the company brings to the market, from Carlo Rossi, the No.1 Imported Wine in the Philippines-Rossi Sweet Red.

Crafted from grapes grown in California’s sun drenched vineyards, Rossi Sweet Red is soft and sweet, with layers of vanilla and flavors of bright cherry and wild raspberry. It is guaranteed to burst with flavor and aroma with the right alcohol content, so Rossi Sweet Red isn’t just grape juice packed in a wine bottle.

Furthermore, Rossi Sweet Red innovates a creative means to drink wines: Have it on the rocks. The ice complements the rich, deep red color and allows the drinker to enjoy its sweet taste in the smoothest way possible.

A lot of people say that this is the best wine to serve to non wine drinkers . I you want to have a toast with people that do not drink wine , and you are not willing to drink cheap wine coolers this is the option to go with .

It has a great aroma . It is sweet, but not too sweet . It has non tanine flavors or after taste . You can actually taste the wine.

It can be compared to Italian sweet wines , but with the plus side that Carlo Rossi is actually reasonably priced. 

This wine is light to medium in body. The palate is well balanced. Bright red fruit and floral hints lead to a crisp finish.

“This is a perfect fit for a tropical country such as ours,” says de De Torres.                                                                                
                                               Bottle-and-stemless-glassRET

The status and symbol that wine-drinking connote still remains but overall, the most important thing is still satisfaction.

Discover a different kind of sweetness from Rossi Sweet Red Wine, best enjoyed on the rocks.

Well balanced, this light to medium-bodied sweet red wine has flavors of bright red fruits and fresh floral notes with a nice crisp finish.

FLOOD AND TRAFFIC ALERT PLUS EVACUATION ADVISORY

FLOOD ALERT | via Marikina City PIO| 7 August 2012 - as of 12:35AM ->> THIRD (3rd) ALARM is now Raised for Marikina River NOW AT at 17.1 meters ABOVE sea level.

All gates of Manggahan Floodway open.

RESIDENTS of Brgys. Tumana & Malanday are advised to evacuate.
#marikina_river #dnd_forum

Huwag na po maging matigas ang ulo ninyo, para po sa kapakanan ninyo ang pagpapa evacuate sa inyo.

From National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council
44 minutes ago

TRAFFIC Alert | via MMDA Traffic Center | 6 August 2012 as of 11:35 PM

R. Papa Rizal Ave in Caloocan city. 37 inches, not passable to light vehicles. @mmda @dnd_forum

Kuha ito sa may LRT - R. Papa Station sa Rizal Avenue, Manila. Lubog na sa baha ang kalsada roon. 

Be Safe everyone! Keep Dry!

UPDATED LIST: Class suspensions for August 7, Tuesday

Class suspensions for August 7, Tuesday
by ANC 24/7 on Monday, August 6, 2012

PRESCHOOL-HIGH SCHOOL
Caloocan (public & private)
Mandaluyong (public & private) 
Navotas (public & private)
Quezon City (public & private)
Cainta, Rizal (public & private)
Binangonan, Rizal (public & private)

ALL LEVELS
Las Piñas (public & private)
Manila (public & private)
Muntinlupa (public & private)
San Juan (public & private)
Taguig (public & private)
Laguna (public & private)
Balanga City, Bataan (public & private)
Pilar, Bataan
Taytay, Rizal (public & private)
Bacoor, Cavite (public & private)

VALENZUELA
A. Deato Elementary School
Arkong Bato National High School
Coloong Elementary School
Isla Elementary School
Nuestra Senora De Guia Academy
Pasolo Elementary School
Pio Valenzuela Elementary School
PR San Diego Elementary School
Rincon Elementary School
San Diego Parochial School
Tagalag Elementary School
Wawang Pulo Elementary School

SCHOOLS
Ateneo De Manila University (all levels including graduate school)
Adamson University (all classes, office work)
Colegio de San Juan de Letran (all levels)
De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (all classes, office work)
Philippine Christian University (all levels including graduate school)
Philippine College of Criminology - Manila Law College
Polytechnic University Philippines (all levels)
Trinity University of Asia (all levels, office work)
University of Santo Tomas (all levels)
University

*LIST BEING UPDATED AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE INFO.
Last updated August 6, Monday, 9:55pm

KEEP SAFE AND DRY!

HOTLINE NUMBERS: In case of Emergency

It's been raining non-stop all over the metro. We hope you and your family are safe and dry. Here are some hotline numbers in case of emergency.

Keep safe!

I hope the traffic situation in different areas in the Metro will ease up.

The traffic in Taft Ave. is so vicious according to some netizens who got stuck in the traffic. It took them 2 hours to get to Kalaw  from Vito Cruz . The flood is knee deep in that area. Quezon Avenue,  Araneta and E. Rodrguez Araneta was not passable. 

One friend got stuck in Monumento in knee deep water.

A netizen said that the water in Sta.Mesa is already waist deep! Scary!

Ingat po kayo keep dry!

I hope everybody is safe. What if situation is still like this until tomorrow?



God bless us all!

LIST OF THOSE AREA WHO HAVE NO CLASSES TOMORROW

It's been raining non-stop all over the metro.  We hope you and your family are safe and dry. Marikina Sto. Nino stream gauge is now at 16.67 meters.

Pag-asa calls what we are experiencing siyamsiyam or 9 days of raining and 9 days without the sun according to sir Orly's wall.

LONG WEEKEND: August Holiday

LONG WEEKEND: August Holiday
 

There will be a four-day long weekend this August as officially announced by Malacanang.

Wow! Ang saya saya na naman ng mga estudyante, mga nag tra trabaho sa buong Pilipinas! Bakit? Dahil sa long weekend from August 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2012.

August 18 is Saturday

August 19 is Sunday

August 20 is end of Eid’l Fitr, Eid-al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid) is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr.

August 21 is a non-working holiday as it is the Ninoy Aquino day.  

Furthermore, August 29, a Monday  have been declared non-working holidays by Malacanang.

August 29 marks National Heroes’ Day 
 

Sa mga hindi kumbinsido eto po andg Proclamation No. 295 for your guidance which you can found here.

Enjoy! Don't forget to be grateful for all your blessings!

God bless your heart!