Machida overwhelms Evans, claims title. LAS VEGAS – Lyoto Machida can’t be called dull any longer. “The Dragon” won the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight title with an electrifying flurry that knocked out Rashad Evans on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at 3:57 of the second round.

The unbeaten Machida, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Shotokan karate, entered the fight 14-0 but was derided for a cautious, defensive style.

And the first round was fought very tentatively. But Machida, who was the aggressor in the fight, landed a big left hand that hurt Evans and backed him into the cage.

Machida then fired a flurry of punches, with a big left dumping Evans on the seat of his pants. Referee Mario Yamasaki jumped in to save Evans, who clearly was in trouble.

“I want to keep this belt for a long time,” Machida said.

Machida, who shouted “karate is back” after the win, fired a series of hard punches, several of which landed, including a crunching right and a big left.

Evans never was able to connect. He spent the first round circling and looking for an opening that Machida never gave him. In the second, he landed a kick and a couple of punches but essentially had no offense.

“I’m dizzy,” Evans said. “Lyoto came out and was difficult to solve.”

In the co-main event, the grudge match between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra turned out to be a dud, with little action. Serra knocked Hughes down in the first round and Hughes seemed to be in trouble, but Serra was unable to finish.

In the final two rounds, Hughes used his superior strength to take Serra down and hold him on the mat. Hughes did little damage and frequently wasn’t trying to advance his position, but he kept Serra down for long stretches and that was enough to get him the victory.

All three judges had it 29-28 for Hughes, who admitted the prefight trash talk got him fired up.

“It was very much a motivating factor,” Hughes said. “What he said about me [bothered me], just as I’m sure what I said about him [bothered him].”

Hughes asked his corner what had happened when he walked back after the first round. He wasn’t aware he’d been knocked down.

“I didn’t know exactly what hit me,” he said. “A head butt or what punch it was.”

Serra was disappointed and seemed to think he’d won. When ring announcer Bruce Buffer called Hughes’ name, Serra stared at the floor and shook his head.

“I really wanted this win,” Serra said. “I trained really hard for it. I’m a little upset now.”

The two embraced briefly at the end of the fight and then again a few seconds later. Each seemed to indicate the bad blood between them was over.

Hughes, whose contract expired after Saturday’s bout, said he wanted to fight again and planned to talk to UFC president Dana White about making a bout somewhere in the Midwest near his home.

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Katrina Halili comes clean on her brief affair with Dr. Hayden Kho..

In an interview with GMA-7's entertainment field reporter Lhar Santiago, the embattled sexy actress affirmed Hayden Kho's confession that they had a brief affair. His revelation reportedly triggered the collapse of Hayden's relationship with girlfriend and popular cosmetic surgeon, Vicki Belo.

"Nagkamali ako. Siyempre tao lang naman po ako, di ba? At least, kaya nga nung nalaman kong nagkamali ako matagal na akong lumayo at matagal ko ng pinagsisihan ‘yon. Kaya ngayon hinarap ko siya, na sinasabi kong hindi ako affected dahil matagal ko na pong pinagsisihan kung ano ‘yong pagkakamali ko," said Katrina.

The interview was conducted over the weekend at the taping of Gagambino where Katrina is part of the cast.

ASKS FOR UNDERSTANDING. Aware of the negative implications of her actions, Katrina asked the public not to judge her outright, based merely on what they heard or read.

"Kung talagang masama akong tao, nanay ko na mismo ‘yong hihila sa 'kin dito, tumigil na ko sa showbiz, pauwiin na ako sa probinsya. Hindi, e, nandiyan ‘yong nanay ko, nandiyan ‘yong family ko, 'yong mga kaibigan ko. Alam nila kung ano 'yong totoong nangyari at alam nila na siyempre nagkamali ako at pinagsisihan ko ‘yon," the lead star of One Night Only reasoned out.

Katrina also dismissed a nagging perception that she single-handedly tore down Hayden and Vicki's relationship. A combination of many factors that snowballed led to the breakup, according to the StarStruck alumna.

"Kung naghiwalay sila, maraming ibang bagay ‘yon. Huwag naman pong ako lang. Maraming ibang bagay, ang baduy naman na hiwalay sila dahil sa ‘kin lang e, ang tagal-tagal nang wala."

Katrina is set to leave the country tomorrow, December 30, together with rumored boyfriend Kris Lawrence for a vacation. She will also celebrate her birthday on January 4 in the U.S.

Explaining her rumored beau's indifference to the third-party issue, Katrina explained: "Nasabi ko na po sa kanya lahat. So, kung napapansin nila ‘yong mga interview ni Kris kasi, dedma na lang siya. Kasi alam naman niya kung ano ‘yong totoong nangyayari."

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Phelps loses in backstroke. Not when he’s going against Aaron Peirsol.

The world-record holder and two-time Olympic champion handed Phelps his first defeat in almost a year, winning the 100-meter backstroke at the Charlotte UltraSwim on Saturday night.

Wearing his new Arena suit, Peirsol got off to a strong start and touched in 53.32 seconds. Phelps was trailing by more than a half-second at the turn and had no chance to make that up against one of the world’s greatest backstrokers, taking second in 53.79.

Phelps will remember this one.

“No matter who I’m racing, I hate to lose,” he said. “Aaron and I have had a number of battles back and forth. … That’s the fun part about racing Aaron—you know he’s always going be there. He’s a racer. He’s a competitor. He’s someone I like to race.”

Phelps’ last defeat in a final? Exactly 364 days ago, when Peirsol beat him in the 200 backstroke at Santa Clara, Calif., during the run-up to the Olympics, according to USA Swimming.

Phelps didn’t swim the backstroke in Beijing—it didn’t fit into the schedule that produced a record eight gold medals and made him the winningest Olympian ever. But he’s changing things up as he looks ahead to this summer’s world championships and the 2012 London Games.

The 100 backstroke is one of his main targets.

Bring it on, Peirsol said.

“By no means is anybody giving anything to anybody,” said Peirsol, who set a world record in the 100 back while winning his second straight Olympic gold in the event at Beijing. “I definitely wanted to win that race.”

Phelps is competing in five events at Charlotte—his first meet since Beijing—but only two were on his Olympic program. He won them both on Friday night, the 200 freestyle and 100 fly.

He swam the 50 free during the Saturday morning prelims and posted the eighth-fastest time, but that was merely a chance to test out the new straight-arm stroke he’ll use in his final event, the 100 free on Sunday. Phelps scratched from the 50 final, which was won by world-record holder Frederick Bousquet of France.

There’s still some work to do in the 100 back, not to mention some stout competition. Ryan Lochte, the Olympic champion in the 200 back, finished fourth Saturday night—not bad considering he was wearing an old-fashioned Speedo brief instead of one of the high-tech suits.

Phelps’ coach ripped off a lengthy to-do list when they get back to Baltimore.

“There’s probably three or four things in that race he can do better,” Bob Bowman said. “His start wasn’t very good; he came up really bad from his start. His turn was not exactly where it should be. And he didn’t have any legs at the end. That’s just conditioning.”

Still, Phelps tried to put the loss in perspective. He’s coming off a nine-month layoff that was by far the longest of his career. He had intended to come back sooner, but had to serve a three-month suspension imposed by USA Swimming after a British tabloid published a photo of him using a marijuana pipe.

The suspension ended May 5.

Now it’s time to chase down Peirsol.

“When Michael gets beat, he remembers the race more,” Bowman said. “When I say, ‘Let’s do some kicking to help with the 100 back,’ it’ll have more credence.”

Phelps was done when he made the turn in 26.64—putting him 0.62 behind Peirsol.

“If he’s going to race Aaron, he’s got to be on even terms one time and see what happens,” Bowman said. “You don’t come back on someone who’s the best finisher ever. You have to push him a little bit.”

Peirsol was surprised by his big lead at the flip.

“I couldn’t see him, so I thought he was probably really far ahead of me,” Peirsol said. “When he wasn’t, that made things a little easier.”

Still, this has the makings of a very juicy rivalry. Phelps said he’s not planning to hang a picture of Peirsol next to his bed as he once did with Ian Crocker when those two were battling in the 100 butterfly.

Not yet, anyway.

“This is going to come back with me,” Phelps said of the loss. “It doesn’t matter what stroke it is or what event it is, I don’t like to lose. Aaron has got the upper hand on me in pretty much all of our races.”

Though she’s been overshadowed by Phelps’ return, 17-year-old high schooler Dagny Knutson has actually won more events in Charlotte than the star attraction.

Knutson, who trains without benefit of a team or world-class facilities in her native North Dakota, picked up her third gold medal of the weekend with another win over Olympian Katie Hoff, this time in the 400 freestyle. Knutson won with a personal-best time of 4 minutes, 9.60 seconds.

Hoff, who changed coaches after a disappointing performance in Beijing, has yet to recapture the form that made her one of the most hyped swimmers not named Phelps going into the Olympics. She was edged at the wall in 4:09.72, after also losing to Knutson in the 200 free.

The North Dakotan’s other win came in the 400 individual medley.

Bousquet only entered the meet on Wednesday, less than a month after becoming the first swimmer to break the 21-second barrier in the 50 free.

He failed to match his 20.94 from the French national championship, but turned in the fastest time ever posted in the U.S.—21.33. Olympian Cullen Jones, who trains in Charlotte, was second in 21.92.

Bousquet, a former college star at Auburn, is eager to take the record even lower, though his main goal is winning a world championship in Rome this summer.

“I can shoot for sub-20 one day,” he said. “I’m trying not to put any limit on it. But right now, it’s more a matter of winning the race than going fast. I really want to win the 50 at the world championships. I know it’s going to be very hard. These guys are bringing it big time.”

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Pro wrestler Lashley destroys Cook in 24 seconds. Don't make fun of Bobby Lashley and his pro wrestling background. The former WWE star said he was incensed by the fact that his opponent Mike Cook came to the cage in a lucha libre mask a la Nacho Libre.

Lashley is generally a polite, sportsman but he refused to touch gloves with Cook. He charged Cook in the opening seconds and missed with a huge right. Cook made the mistake of dropping his head. Lashley, a big MMA heavyweight at 6-foot-3, 249 pounds, grabbed onto Cook's head with his left arm. From there, he used his bulk to lean on Cook and it took just a few seconds for Cook to wilt under Lashley's weight. Lashley flattened out Cook (7-4) and re-positioned his right arm to cinch on a choke. Cook's legs could be seen quivering and referee John McCarthy had to step in to stop the fight (video). All that in just 24 seconds during Maximum Fighting Championship 21 at the River Cree Resort and Casino just outside Edmonton, Alberta

"I’m here for business," said Lashley (3-0). "I’m here and everyone wants to and tries to make fun of the wrestling thing. I’m real. If they want to play around, I’ll knock them out or choke them out. And that’s what I did. I choked him out and made him pay. Now he can go put the mask back on and have fun with himself."

Lashley, making the conversion from the fake stuff with Vince McMahon, started training mixed martial arts last year. He won his first fight in 41 seconds when Joshua Franklin couldn't continue after a Lashley elbow busted him open. His last time out in March, Lashley won a decision against veteran Jason Guida.

Lashley needed to get through this fight unscathed because he has a stiff test against freakazoid Bob Sapp (pictured below on the right) right around the corner. Sapp, a former NFL player, NCAA All-American at Washington and a huge crossover star in Japan, is 6-4, 345. He doesn't have much stamina but he is dangerous for about 4-5 minutes. Sapp (10-3-1) and Lashley will meet on June 27 in Biloxi, Miss.

Lashley is finished with the WWE but is still dabbling with pro wrestling with TNA. Former WWE champ Brock Lesnar also made a quick transition to MMA. After just three fights, he won the UFC's heavyweight title by downing all-time great Randy Couture. He defends his strap at UFC 100 in July against Frank Mir.

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Danny Gokey is dancing off "American Idol," leaving showy Adam Lambert and twangy Kris Allen to duke it out in the finale of the popular Fox singing competition next week.

Gokey, the bespectacled 29-year-old church music director and recent widower from Milwaukee, was revealed to have received the fewest viewer votes on Wednesday.

Gokey had continually impressed the judges with his husky voice -- but not his hip shaking -- throughout the contest. "Idol" judge Simon Cowell called his cover of Joe Cocker's version of "You Are So Beautiful" on Tuesday a "vocal master class" but said his dancing during Terence Trent D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister" was "desperate."

Along with Lambert, Gokey had long been considered to be a front-runner of the eighth season, never appearing as one of the show's bottom vote-getters. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said more than 88 million votes were received with 1 million votes separating the top two singers, meaning next week's Lambert-Allen showdown may be closer than anticipated.

"Look, none of us would have predicted this, guys," Cowell said at the end of the show.

The episode kicked off with "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" stars Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Bill Hader and Jonah Hill starring in a plug masquerading as a skit about the "Idol" judges' desk being inducted into the Smithsonian. It wasn't a joke. The perch will be on display at the Smithsonian Institution Building in the coming weeks.

Before the results viewers saw Alicia Keys urging fans to support her charity, a 15-year-old Rwandan rapper named Noah, sixth-season champ Jordin Sparks, videos of the final three singers' trips to their hometowns and an over-the-top performance by Katy Perry.

Gokey just wanted to cut to the chase.

"I think we've had enough suspense, enough commercials, just enough playing around," he said. "Let's just get to it."

"I want to see Katy Perry!" Lambert exclaimed in response.

The feeling was apparently mutual. Perry made her love for Lambert no secret. The "I Kissed a Girl" singer crooned her latest single, "Waking Up in Vegas," with a troupe of glittery showgirls while wearing a scantily clad Elvis-inspired ensemble that was initially covered in a cape emblazoned with Lambert's name.

Either Lambert, a 27-year-old theater actor from San Diego, or Allen, a 23-year-old college student from Conway, Ark., will be crowned "Idol" next Wednesday. Cowell said Allen's totally stripped-down version of Kanye West's "Heartless" on Tuesday made him a contender for the finale.
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The Montauk Monster 2.0. Just when you thought it was safe to take a romantic walk along the beach, another Montauk Monster washes up on the shores of Long Island.

Another, you say? Yes: Last year, the original Monster caused a huge stir across the Web. Nobody knew what it was, but reports indicated it was big, bloated, beaked, and rather gross-looking. Naturally, onlookers couldn't turn away then, and they can't turn away now. (If you're feeling brave and you haven't eaten in a while, check out the story and images from Newsday.)

After Fox News and several other publications reported the latest Monster discovery, queries on the corpulent carcass roared like an angry wildebeest. Within 24 hours, searches on "what is the montauk monster" (a very good question) and "montauk monster pictures" were both red-hot.

Additionally, blogs are now chiming in with their theories on the creature's origin. Was it planted by pranksters? For what it's worth, the urban legend experts at Snopes.com write that there seems to be "no consensus" as to whether the original Monster was real, photoshopped, or just a very large raccoon.

Want to decide for yourself? Beware — even for the Internet, these guys are pretty gross.

Article provided by: buzz.yahoo.com

Even those of us who expected Manny Pacquiao to handle Ricky Hatton last Saturday night were surprised by the ease with which Pac-Man utterly demolished the Englishman, knocking him down three times and out in the space of less than six minutes. It was a particularly satisfying win for Dedham’s Freddie Roach, the trainer who, over the past few years, has turned Pacquiao from a very gifted but left hand-crazy fighter into the world’s best boxer.

What had begun as good-natured banter conducted primarily for the benefit of HBO’s “Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7” cameras had become a vituperative war of words between Roach and his counterpart in the Hatton corner, Floyd Mayweather Sr., who fancied himself - usually at the expense of Roach - as the world’s best trainer. If you watched the pay-per-view telecast you may have noticed that when the cameras followed Hatton and his entourage on his long, sad walk back to the dressing room, Mayweather was nowhere to be seen. In fact, by the time Hatton revived from the frightening knockout, Mayweather had already abandoned the corner and was mingling with the ringside crowd, posing for pictures and signing autographs while Hatton sat on a stool being examined by ringside doctors.

Roach, incidentally, was somewhat annoyed by the assumption (one that acquired further legs when HBO announcer Jim Lampley repeated it on the telecast) he had hired former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer as an assistant because the Parkinson’s disease that has afflicted him for a decade is worsening.

“I didn’t bring in Michael Moorer because I’m any sicker,” Roach said. “I hired him because he needed a job. I was helping him more than he was helping me.”

In Pacquiao’s training sessions, Roach noted, he was the one in the ring working the mitts, while Moorer watched from the apron and offered pointers. . . .

When he announced a July 18 comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez literally hours before Pacquiao and Hatton went into the ring, it appeared that Floyd Mayweather Jr. was trying to upstage the big fight, but in the wake of Pacquiao’s performance the news became a footnote. Mayweather and Marquez will fight as welterweights, with a catch-weight contractual limit of 143 pounds, which would seem to give Mayweather an additional edge. Even though it could produce an autumn opponent for Pacquiao, Roach called the matchup of counterpunchers “a boring fight,” and opined “Who cares?”

Different strokes

What do you suppose might have been going through Lucien Bute’s mind as he watched Jermain Taylor, ahead on two cards, collapse at the finish line to be stopped by Carl Froch with 14 seconds left in their Foxwoods fight April 25?

Froch retained his WBC super middleweight title with the come-from-behind win. Six months earlier in Montreal, Bute kept his IBF version of the title when, under almost identical circumstances, the referee saved him by keeping Librado Andrade at bay until the final bell sounded. Mike Ortega’s stoppage of Taylor-Froch was beyond reproach, but if Marlon Hayes instead of Ortega had been on duty at Foxwoods, Taylor might be the new champion.

Froch said he wants to unify the title, but instead of challenging one of the division’s other champs, he tried his best to coax Joe Calzaghe out of retirement.

Calzaghe doesn’t sound interested: “To be honest, it would be frightening what I would do to him if we fought. (Froch) doesn’t seem to realize that holding your hands up and defending yourself is a pretty vital part of boxing.”

Bute, by the way, was ringside at Foxwoods not in anticipation of a unification fight, but to scout the winner of the Allen Green-Carlos De Leon Jr. co-feature as a next opponent. Green’s two-round destruction of De Leon may have produced second thoughts about that matchup. Matchmaker Don Majeski suggested that the July opponent’s role may instead go to Providence’s Joey Spina.

Spina, who has won five straight since being exposed by Peter Manfredo Jr. three years ago, is scheduled to face Tiwon Taylor in the main event of Jimmy Burchfield’s May 21 card at the Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, R.I. Taylor (27-13) has lost six of his last eight, so it’s not a fight that should imperil a July title fight should that opportunity present itself in the meantime. In the May 21 co-feature, James McGirt Jr. will make his CES promotional debut vs. an as-of-yet undetermined foe. The evening will also renew the rivalry between McGirt’s father/trainer Buddy, and Micky Ward, who last faced down from opposite corners when the former trained Ward’s archrival, Arturo Gatti. Ward will be working the corner of nephew Sean Ecklund, who will fight Jose Guzman in a lightweight prelim. For more information, phone 401-724-2253. . . .

Burchfield could have another of his fighters challenging for a world title in inhospitable surroundings on the same weekend - and maybe even the same night - if things fall into place for Providence’s Matt Godfrey to face Poland’s IBF cruiserweight Tomasz Adamek on July 10. Adamek has drawn large and enthusiastic mostly-Polish crowds to Newark’s Prudential Arena for his last two title fights, and his promoters have booked the building for a July 10 Adamek card.

But ESPN.com reports that WBC junior middleweight champion Vernon Forrest is likely to withdraw from his scheduled Aug. 1 mandatory against Sergio Martinez, which would leave Showtime in search of a replacement bout. Showtime had previously passed on Adamek-Glen Johnson, as had HBO, but Forrest’s impending defection may cause the former to rethink that strategy. If Showtime approves Johnson, that fight would be a go and move to Aug. 1, but if the network nixes it again, then Godfrey looms Adamek’s likely July 10 opponent.

Tony Petronelli, who once held the USBA junior middleweight championship, challenged Wilfred Benitez for the world title in 1976, and later worked the corner of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, will be honored for his 40 years in boxing with a May 20 tribute at Joe Angelo’s Cafe in Brockton on May 20. The son of Hagler co-handler Pasquale Petronelli, Tony was 42-4-1 in a seven-year pro career that began in 1972 and lasted until 1979. Doors open at 5:30, with first bell at 6:30. For more information, phone 508-509-3236. . . .

Article provided by: bostonherald.com

Manny Pacquiao will love a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Maganda ‘yan,” Pacquiao told the Bulletin when told about the odds for such a matchup as he was having a sumptuous seafood lunch at Harbour View restaurant near the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Still, Pacquiao is not too inclined on discussing about who, where and when to fight next.

“I just want to enjoy my free time,” said Pacquiao.

This early, oddsmakers have pegged the mouth-watering Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight as a pick 'em or even-steven.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Nevada’s leading newspaper, a betting line has been entered for such a bout although the date and venue have yet to be decided.

Officially, the fight remains a figment of every boxing fans’ imagination since Mayweather has Juan Manuel Marquez to take care of on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao keenly awaits the result of Miguel Cotto’s June 13 fight in New York.

“Lucky’s sports books posted a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight as a pick (minus 110 on both sides). The line has not moved since it was put up Sunday (the day after Pacquiao flattened Ricky Hatton in two rounds),” the LVRJ said.

“I think if Floyd looks OK against Marquez, Floyd will be the favorite (against Pacquiao),” said professional handicapper Dave Cokin, also a local ESPN radio talk show host. Cokin added: “It’s a phenomenal betting fight.”

In an on-going poll being done by ESPN, 65 percent of voters believe Pacquiao will best Mayweather, who received 35 percent in his favor from among 15,700 polled.

Article provided by: mb.com.ph

Candidates of Miss Philippines Earth 2009. Meet the 50 beautiful candidates of Miss Philippines Earth 2009 representing various provinces, cities, municipalities, and overseas Filipino communities, vying for the privilege to represent the country in the 9th Miss Earth pageant.

The grand coronation night of Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 is happening on May 10, 2009 at the San Juan Arena in San Juan City.

Aklan, Michelle Martha Braun (18)
Alegria, Kirstie Joan Barbor (22)
Antipolo, Czarina Mae Justo (23)
Apalit, Vanessa Johnson (22)
Bacolod, Jan Maricris Vega (18)
Badoc, Jinky Janelle Miranda (21)
Baguio, Maria Raenalyn Guansing (21)
Bataan, Monique Teruelle Manuel (20)
Batangas, Jennelyn Bagsit (20)
Biñan, Joanne Principio (18)
Bulacan, Cherry Mae de Guzman (18)
Bustos, Joanna Krizel Tuazon (20)
Cabusao, Arianne Natalie Lim (23)
Cagayan De Oro, Stephanie Kate Cawaling (23)
Cainta, Jane Annalyn Sy (20)
Calamba, Kathrina Camille Suarez (19)
Canada, Tessa Kruger (21)
Carmona, Rochelle Cadiente (19)
Ilocos Sur, Paula Camille Figueras (22)
Las Piñas, Elizabeth Naluz (18)
Liliw, Barbie Sauquillo (23)
Lipa, Reina Mae Maerina (23)
Los Baños, Shiella Mae Botones (19)
Lumban, Shienneth Navarro (25)
Malolos, Kenneth Shane Dimaapi (19)
Manila, Alexis Go (20)
Marikina, Elaine Paola Esteban (21)
Melbourne Australia, Tanya Louise Hendy (23)
Mexico, Agnes Dizon (25)
Meycauayan, Nickah dela Cruz (18)
Midsayap, Leah Sarah Baranaskas (18)
Negros Occidental, Sandra Inez Seifert (25)
Olongapo, Angelee Claudett delos Reyes (21)
Ozamis, Wendie Olape (24)
Pagsanjan, Alexandra Santos (20)
Palawan, Christine Barby Loreno (18)
Pasay, Karryl Ann Lopez (21)
Passi, Jo-nah Belle Capuy (18)
Puerto Princesa, Maria Theresa Arzaga (21)
Quezon City, Patricia Marie Tumulak (21)
Romblon, Reina Cuneta (22)
San Antonio, Carriza Senoc (18)
San Juan, Patricia Mae Sta. Rosa (18)
San Pedro, Maria Melissa Lim (25)
Santa Rosa, Carl Crystle delos Reyes (19)
Sorsogon, Kathleen Jebulan (23)
Sydney Australia, Catherine Loyola (23)
Tarlac, Evangeline Mae Castillo (25)
West Coast USA, Charmaine Chiong (24)
Victorias, Grezilda ‘Adie’ Adelantar (21)

LAS VEGAS — FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR. likens Ricky Hatton to an animal, specifically a tiger, in the ring. Ferocious and vicious as a fighter, Hatton is also the epitome of what a boxing student should be—talented and a fast learner, according to the trainer.

In contrast, Mayweather holds Manny Pacquiao in low esteem.

The American says the Filipino ring hero fights like an amateur despite being the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter—a title once owned by his now retired son and namesake.

It’s no wonder that Mayweather picks his pupil, Hatton, to win the May 2 showdown.

“Not only is Hatton bigger, stronger than Pacquiao, he is also smarter, slicker, clever, smoother,” said Mayweather.

“If I have a fighter of eight years like Freddie Roach had Manny, I wouldn’t be thinking so much about the size because Manny still can’t fight if you ask me,” said Mayweather.

Aritcle provided by: inquirer.net

MEXICO CITY--Mexican President Felipe Calderon told his people to stay home from Friday for a five-day partial shutdown of the economy, after the World Health Organization said a swine flu pandemic was imminent.

Calderon ordered government offices and private businesses not crucial to the economy to stop work to avoid further infections from the new virus, which has killed up to 176 people in Mexico and is now spreading around the world.

"There is no safer place than your own home to avoid being infected with the flu virus," Calderon said in his first televised address since the crisis erupted last week.

Eleven countries have reported cases of the H1N1 strain, and Texas officials said a 22-month-old Mexican boy had died in Texas while on a family visit, the first confirmed swine flu death outside Mexico.

Switzerland confirmed on Thursday its first case, saying a man returning from Mexico had tested positive for the flu.

The WHO raised the official alert level to phase 5, the last step before a pandemic.

"Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world," WHO Director General Margaret Chan told a news conference in Geneva on Wednesday.

"The biggest question is this: how severe will the pandemic be, especially now at the start," Chan said. But she added that the world "is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than at any time in history".

Mexico's peso currency weakened sharply early on Thursday after the government called for chunks of the economy to close. The peso fell 1.6 percent to 13.83 per dollar.

But world stocks struck a four-month peak, powered by gains in Asia on Thursday, as investors took heart from signs of improvement in the U.S. economy.

Markets earlier in the week had taken fright and fallen on worries that a major flu outbreak could hit the struggling global economy. Almost all those infected outside Mexico have had mild symptoms, and only a handful of people have been hospitalized.

In Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million, all schools, restaurants, nightclubs and public events have been shut down to try to stop the disease from spreading, bringing normal life to a virtual standstill.

Spain reported the first case in Europe of swine flu in a person who had not been to Mexico, illustrating the danger of person-to-person transmission.

Both U.S. and European officials have said they expect to see swine flu deaths.

President Barack Obama said during an evening news conference at the White House on Wednesday there was no need for panic and rejected the possibility of closing the border with Mexico.

"At this point, (health officials) have not recommended a border closing," he said. "From their perspective, it would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States."

Obama also praised his predecessor for stockpiling anti-viral medication in anticipation of such an outbreak.

"I think the Bush administration did a good job of creating the infrastructure so that we can respond," Obama said. "For example, we've got 50 million courses of anti-viral drugs in the event that they're needed."

Masato Tashiro, head of the influenza virus research centre at Japan's National Institute of Infectious Disease and a member of the WHO emergency committee, told Japan's Nikkei newspaper it appeared the H1N1 strain was far less dangerous than avian flu.

"The virus is relatively weak and about the same as regular influenza viruses passed on via human-to-human contact. I don't believe it will become virulent," he was quoted as saying.

"The threat to health from the avian influenza and its fatality rate is much greater than the new flu," he said.

"I am very worried that we will use up the stockpile of anti-flu medicine and be unarmed before we need to fight against the avian influenza. The greatest threat to mankind remains the H5N1 avian influenza."

The WHO's Chan urged companies who make the drugs to ramp up production. Two antiviral drugs -- Relenza, made by GlaxoSmithKline and Tamiflu, made by Roche AG and Gilead Sciences Inc -- have been shown to work against the H1N1 strain.

Mexico's central bank warned the outbreak could deepen the nation's recession, hurting an economy that already shrank by as much as 8 percent from the previous year in the first quarter.

France said it would seek a European Union ban on flights to Mexico. The EU, the United States and Canada have advised against non-essential travel to Mexico, and many tourists were hurrying to leave, crowding airports.

Reporting by Maggie Fox and Tabassum Zakaria in Washington; Jason Lange, Catherine Bremer, Alistair Bell and Helen Popper in Mexico City; Laura MacInnis and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Yoko Nishikawa in Tokyo; Writing by Andrew Marshall and Dean Yates; Editing by Bill Tarrant.

Article Provided by: inquirer.net

Juday and Ryan Wedding took place today at 7 AM. Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo got married this morning in the San Juan Nepomuceno Church in San Juan, Batangas. Fr. Tito Caluag, who was an hour late, officiated the wedding rites. The Juday-Ryan wedding had a beach theme motif with all the attendees wearing white. Reception is now being held in Balai Laiya Resort also in Batangas. There will be a wedding reception on May 2 in Manila for the other guests and press who did not made it to the San Juan, Batangas Wedding. Rita Neri is the wedding coordinator of the Juday-Ryan Wedding. Megastar Sharon Cuneta, was the matron of honor while Ryan Agoncillo’s brother, Dondi, was best man. Agot Isidro sang the song “Runaway” while Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid sang “The Prayer” during the offertory. Agot Isidro and Ogie Alcasid performed “One Hand, One Heart” during Communion.

To watch video click here

Los Angeles, CA.-- This will be a showcase of heavy punching when Manny Pacquiao clashes with Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Always looking for ways to beat riotous challengers, Pacquiao is ready to hurt Hatton in their May 2 encounter.

This, to complete a triumphant tour of the eight-weight divisions he has figured in.

“Balderdash” cried Hatton on claims the British hitman does not have what it takes to counter what the GenSan stinger is bringing to the MGM bop.

“I’m the unbeaten boss of junior welterweights and I plan to finish him off,“ the IBO defending champion underscored after a heated session in a Vegas gym,

Ricky says Manny gets rattled when pressured, citing Erik Morales’ win in their first match and Juan Manuel Marquez’ controversial loss in a rematch.

The 31 year old Briton insists he is much stronger and a better fighter -- hence an early exit of the Filipino idol is possible.

But Manny has iced more fighters than what Ricky has chilled--(39 limp bodies for the Pacman as opposed to 36 stiffs for the Hitman)

And more experts are lining up in his corner.

Al Bernstein for one is looking at Manny to stop Ricky.

“Hatton will be competitive with Pacquiao because he is a natural 140 pounder who is better than what he is given credit for. However, Manny’s hand and foot speed plus combination punching will be too much for Ricky. I could easily see Hatton cuts being a major factor as well,” the reliable Bernstein emphasized.

Echoes Lance Pugmire of the L.A. Times: “A 10th round stoppage of Hatton due to Pacquiao’s combination of speed and power.”

Hizzoner Al Fernandez of Dagupan City says it would be unlikely Manny will blow this one out calling a late round KO of Ricky as well.

The Philippines’ pride does have the capacity to arouse enthusiasm even from non-believers each time he suits up for a fight.

I was a witness at Pacquiao’s Hollywood camp when he mangled his sparring partners forcing his handlers to scramble for a sturdier group that could withstand Manny’s power.

Relaxing at a Thai eatery called Nats on Vine street in Holywood, the Pinoy ace confided he is almost at peak form.

And once there, Hatton will know the kind of mess he’ll find himself in.

For sure, fans will be treated to a rousing brawl in this pairing of a British whopper against a Filipino whacker.

Hatton will get in his licks alright but Pacquiao will be landing his bombs where it counts.

This is one compelling fight left in Manny’s calendar before he chases other pursuits.

So far, I see nothing showing up to derail the “Pacman Express” -- on track for merry Las Vegas where the game Mancunian awaits.

Top photo: Manny Pacquiao (C) punch mitts with trainer Freddie Roach at the Wildcard Gym Wednesday during Pacquiao's media day.

Article provided by: philboxing.com

Miss USA 2009 Winners Result
Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA 2009 on Sunday, beating out 50 other beauty queens in the live pageant televised from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas

The 22-year-old aspiring motivational speaker and entertainer from Wilmington edged out first runner-up Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, and second runner-up Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Monique Blanco, of Phoenix.

"It feels really natural," Dalton said of her win. "I've worked so be here and this has been my lifelong dream and it's finally here. And whoever knew you could win in a turquoise gown?"

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed in the pageant, aired live on NBC. Contestants were judged by their performance in swimsuit and evening gown modeling contests and their responses to a question asked onstage; unlike the rival Miss America pageant, Miss USA contestants do not perform a talent.

The top 15 contestants worked the stage in white string bikinis designed by pop star Jessica Simpson's swimwear line. Rocker Kevin Rudolf performed his song "Let it Rock," followed by The Veronicas, who performed their single "Untouched" as the top 10 beauties showed off their choice of glittering evening gowns.

Dalton's was a flowing, blue Grecian number that stood out among a series of white gowns.

Her title comes with a year's use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary.

She also will go to the Bahamas in August to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where American beauties haven't been lucky in recent years. Both Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart and her predecessor, Rachel Smith, wiped out on stage during the evening gown competition, becoming accidental YouTube stars.

Asked about the tumble during the show on Sunday, Stewart said it was a lesson in bouncing back from defeat.

"I think it was a true test of my character," said the 27-year-old Texan, who worked to raise awareness for breast cancer as she traveled the globe promoting the beauty contest.

If there is a YouTube moment from Sunday's show, it may be Miss California's answer to a question about legalizing same-sex marriage. The tall blonde stumbled some before giving an answer that appeared to please the pageant audience.

"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," Prejean said. "And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

Some in the audience cheered, others booed. The answer sparked a shouting match in the lobby after the show.

"It's ugly," said Scott Ihrig, a gay man, who attended the pageant with his partner. "I think it's ridiculous that she got first runner-up. That is not the value of 95 percent of the people in this audience. Look around this audience and tell me how many gay men there are."

Charmaine Koonce, the mother of Miss New Mexico USA Bianca Carla, argued back.

"In the Bible it says marriage is between Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve!"

The pageant had enjoyed a scandal-free year until earlier this month, when Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza was skewered for a blog posting from a trip to Guantanamo Bay. The entry described having "aloooot of fun" at a base that houses the notorious military prison; it was later deleted from the pageant's Web site.

The contest, which is owned by NBC and reality TV mogul Donald Trump, was hosted by "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Billy Bush and Nadine Velazquez of the NBC sitcom "My Name is Earl." This year's judges included "Saturday Night Live" cast member Kenan Thompson, "Dancing with the Stars" winner Kelly Monaco and gossip blogger Perez Hilton

Miss Wyoming USA Cynthia Pate, of Casper, Wyo., was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Jessi Pierson, of Milton, W.Va., was voted Miss Photogenic through an online contest on the Miss Universe Web site.

Organizers said Sunday's show kicks off "Green Week" at NBC. As part of the environmental awareness campaign, the Miss USA crown was designed by a jeweler that specializes in conflict-free and eco-friendly jewels. The crown from Diamond Nexus Labs of Franklin, Wis., is worth $202,000.

Watch Miss USA 2009 Online

by Marv Dumon, Houston Boxing Examiner

Marquez vs. Diaz: redemption vs. stardom. Houston, TX - Old Warrior vs. Young Bull. Redemption vs. Stardom. Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez vs. Juan "Baby Bull Diaz"

On Saturday night at 10pm CST in Houston's Toyota Center, fight fans are treated very well with the lightweight clash of Marquez vs. Diaz. Just as importantly, the showdown is shown in the U.S. on HBO for free. One could argue that this is a pay-per-view event, given that Chris John and Rocky Juarez will also be fighting that night, which is anticipated as an interesting fight between the Indonesian and the Mexican American. Given the state of the economy, promoters (in this case, Golden Boy Promotions) and HBO (rightfully) decided not to push it.

Electricity will be in the air. Both Diaz and Juarez reside in Houston. Boxing legends and celebrities will be at ringside. Let's get ready to rumble! Read full Story

By Kenny Perrault

For now a calm climate is set for the impending Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao super fight. However, on the horizon, a dark and powerful storm full of electricity is waiting to strike. When fight night finally arrives, the age old question of what happens when an unstoppable object meets an unmovable force will be answered.

Many fights have promise of being great but few deliver. I have a feeling we will not be disappointed with this one. Both Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao always roll deep with fans making the crowd for this showdown worth the price of admission in itself. The MGM arena can unbolt the seats and throw them away for this fight because they won’t be used once the bell rings. Every super fight of the past decade has been billed -either on paper or on people's minds- as the fight that saves boxing. A few years back Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. brought that burden into the ring with them. it was laid upon them to save boxing. Truth is boxing doesn’t need saving, it needs more fights like Hatton vs Pacquaio. Read Full Story

Posted By: Gareth A. Davies at Feb 26, 2009 at 09:41:23 [General]
Posted in: Sport , Boxing and MMA


According to several insiders from Ricky Hatton's camp, the thoughts of trainers Floyd Mayweather Snr and Lee Beard on Hatton's excesses between fights have found a foothold.

Hatton has not 'binged' on his family holiday this year, and is believed to have had an earlier 'cut-off' point in his celebrations. Hatton is deadly serious about this contest, having felt he underperformed when he fought the then world No 1 pound for pound fighter in Floyd Mayweather Jnr 15 months ago. Read Full Story

SMS Love quotes for this month of February. It's Valentine's Day a better time to let your precious ones know that you love him/her by sending a romantic valentine's day SMS love quotes. It's the modern way to express your feelings this love month.

Memorable gifts for Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air this February and for all the lovers out there, love is the most wonderful of all feelings in this world. It's Valentine's Day and what could be a better time to let your dear ones know that you love them. Make them feel special by sending an ecard online.

My Valentine...
I Love your touch...
It feels like heaven!!!

A beautiful, romantic ecard for your sweetheart or love to send on Valentine's Day.


Rain Roses

Send a red rose basket to your beloved to tell that you think of him/ her all...





A Sweet Valentine's
Day wish

A beautiful and elegant V'day ecard for your sweetheart.




You are special!

A classy and beautiful card that's sure to make your loved one bloom!





Lucky to have found you..

Let the special person in your life know how lucky you feel to have him/ her,...





My heart beats for you...

Send this special rose ecard to your beloved and express your deepest feelings...

Internet users who are looking for a free email services; these are my lists of my favorite free email sites that offers a plenty of storage, fast interface, desktop email program access, effective spam filtering and many more.

Gmail
This is my no. 1 free email site. Gmail is the Google approach to email and chat. Unlimited free online storage allows you to collect all your messages, and Gmail's simple but very neat interface lets you find them precisely and see them in context without effort. POP and powerful IMAP access bring Gmail to any email program or device.
Gmail puts contextual advertising next to the emails you read.

Yahoo Mail
Yahoo! Mail is your everywhere emails program on the web with unlimited storage and RSS news feeds, SMS texting and instant messaging. While Yahoo! Mail is generally a joy to use, free-form labeling and smart folders would be nice, and the spam filter could catch junk even more effectively.

AIM Mail
AIM Mail, AOL's free web-based email service; stand out with unlimited online storage, very good spam protection and a rich, easy to use interface. Unfortunately, AIM Mail lacks a bit in efficiency (no labels, smart folders and message threading), but makes up for some of that with very functional IMAP (as well as POP) access.

GMX Mail
GMX Mail is a reliable email service filtered well of spam and viruses whose 5 GB of online storage you can use not only through a rich web interface but also via POP or IMAP from a desktop email program.


Zenbe
Zenbe organizes your emails and attachments with labels and search — and integrates calendar, to-do list, twitter and Facebook updates, too. With a focus on smart simplicity, Zenbe provides many sweet shortcuts but also shows oddities and faux pas in others.

Inbox.com
Inbox.com not only gives you highly polished interface but also a 5 GB to store your mail online, fast and functional way to access it via either the web or through POP in your email program.
Unfortunately, IMAP access is not supported by Inbox.com.


FastMail Guest Account
FastMail is an immense free email service with IMAP access, useful features, one of the best an smartest web-based email interfaces.




Windows live Hotmail
If you love the service of MSN search engine then this free mail site is for you, Windows Live Hotmail is a free email service that gives you a 5 GB of online storage, fast search, solid security and an interface easy as a desktop email program. When it comes to organizing mail, Windows Live Hotmail does not go beyond folders (to saved searches and tags, for example), its spam filter could be more effective, and POP or IMAP access are missing.

Google glitch cause online panic
Last night when I am doing a search in Google an erroneous type of message appears on my search result saying “this site may harm your computer”. The glitch happened sometime between 6:30 a.m. PST and 7:25 a.m. The Google Company explains.

Microsoft Windows 7 beta version unveils

I’ve been a windows user for the past 14 years and I already tried all the windows operating system released by Microsoft form windows 3.x, Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, 2003, and Windows vista, and I myself fairly satisfied how Microsoft revolutionized its operating system.
Windows Vista that was released last Nov. 2006 brought as some new end-user features, including its aero graphical user interface and visual style improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems.

This year 2009 Microsoft finally releases its beta version of its new Windows Operating System known as Windows 7 (codename: Blackcomb and Vienna). So many windows users were asking, what are those great end-user features that we could get on Windows 7?

Windows 7 new and changed features
Microsoft Windows 7 includes a number of new great features, such as advances in touch, handwriting, speech, and recognition, improved performance on multi-core processors, support fast boot performance, for virtual hard disks, and improvements on its hybrid kernel. Another noticeable performance is on the speed, compared to windows vista windows 7 is much faster.

The biggest innovation that I have seen is on the taskbar where the Quick Launch toolbar has been merged with the task buttons to create an enhanced taskbar or what Microsoft refers to as the "Superbar". This enhanced taskbar also enables the Jump Lists feature to allow easy access to common tasks.

Big break for developers, Windows 7 delivers a new networking API with support for building SOAP based web services in native code (as opposed to .NET based WCF web services), new features to shorten application install times, reduced UAC prompts, simplified development of installation packages, and improved globalization support through a new Extended Linguistic Services API.

2008 Most Popular Celebrities
Top 5 most popular female celebrities of 2008.
#1
Birth Name: Britney Jean Spears
Birth Place: Kentwood, LA
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 12/02/1981, Sagittarius
Profession: Singer; actor





#2
Birth Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus
Birth Place: Nashville, TN
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 11/23/1992, Sagittarius
Profession: Actor; singer




#3
Birth Name: Jessica Marie Alba
Birth Place: Pomona, CA
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 04/28/1981, Taurus
Profession: Actor




#4
Birth Name: Angelina Jolie Voight
Birth Place: Los Angeles, CA
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 06/04/1975, Gemini
Profession: Actor




#5
Birth Name: Paris Whitney Hilton
Birth Place: New York, NY
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 02/17/1981, Aquarius
Profession: Model; actor; reality-show cast member

Photosynth shares new experience

Microsoft delivers a great new experience in transforming the way we look on digital images, it can reconstruct the scene form a flat photographs and can give virtual experience to anyone over the internet.

To download Photosynth just click here

Microsoft offers a retake Certification Exam for free









Wow! what a great offer. Microsoft offers a second chance exam for IT professional, project manager or developer without an additional cost. So start preparing yourself now and be the first to avail this offer.

Why get certified?

Microsoft Certifications not only recognize and validate your real-world IT skills, but provide access to unique resource and offer a life-long career path for developing your IT skills. Now, more than ever, a certification can help you obtain a new job and differentiate yourself from other IT professionals and developers.

To read more information just visit Microsoft | Learning

Photographer’s Den | About Corbis.com
Corbis is a creative resource for advertising, marketing and media professionals worldwide, helping to bring creative work to life with the highest quality photography, footage and rights services. Corbis offers a preeminent collection of more than 100 million creative, entertainment and historic images, a comprehensive footage library, the world's deepest rights and clearances expertise and an award-winning media management solution, as well as empowering SnapVillage, an innovative microstock web site. Based in Seattle, Corbis serves more than 50 countries worldwide. Corbis is privately held by its Chairman Bill Gates, who founded the company in 1989. For more information, visit www.corbis.com

World's favorite Search Engines
Most outstanding Search Engines according to readers.

Google.com
Google recognized as the leader among search engines, accounting for 45% of all search queries. Expert reviews also rank Google at the top. In addition Google offers more and more specialized searches, including video search, image search and blog search Google map and other search tools available in Google.


Yahoo.com
Yahoo Desktop often gets a hold of top ranking in reviews, and Yahoo comes in second for best search engine. So if you want one integrated product that covers all the bases, Yahoo! is a good choice. Yahoo! Desktop. Most often yahoo homepage is chosen as the default page among users.


Ask.com
Ask.com makes a distinction as the most improved search engine. Reviews say it is now much better at keeping ads distinct from search results, and that relevancy now matches (and sometimes exceeds Google). Results include a helpful set of cross-referencing terms to help users refine searches.


Windows Live Search
Windows Live Search is a huge enhancement over MSN Search. Windows Live Search gets special impression for its image search because of the unique enhancement that it gives. A slider bar controls the size of thumbnails, and you can choose a filmstrip view that presents a column of thumbnails with full-size images on the main screen.

Do social sites increase page rank?

Search Engine Optimization is considered as the vanguard for promotion strategy. Yet talking about search optimization we tend to forget to optimize through social sites (digg, facebook, myspace, friendster … etc.). For the fact that for the past years we have seen the increase of popularity of social sites on the internet.

Social sites can help increase your back links for off page optimization, it can increase popularity factor to other search engine, by determining the number of links pointing to your site, in which one of the basis for achieving a higher page rank on the SERP’s (Search Engine Results Page).

However learning all optimization strategies are not guaranteed to be the solution for achieving a higher page rank but rather a successful blog must offer a fresh and significant topic that can really attract the audience.

Commenting to a blog is other way of initiating a marketing strategy, making a good comment can initiate a good impression to other bloggers.

Update your site regularly, putting an interesting topic, images, videos, and widgets can attract viewers.

Putting all this strategies together can gain higher reputation.

Social Sites

Digg



Facebook


Myspace


Multiply


Friendster