Daredevil skydiver Felix Baumgartner breaks records

Austrian Felix Baumgartner has become the first skydiver to go faster than the speed of sound, reaching a maximum velocity of 833.9mph (1,342km/h).

In jumping out of a balloon 128,100ft (24 miles; 39km) above New Mexico, the 43-year-old also smashed the record for the highest ever freefall.

He said he almost aborted the dive because his helmet visor fogged up.

It took just under 10 minutes for him to descend. Only the last few thousand feet were negotiated by parachute. (Source: BBC News)

Black Out Protest for RA 10175

Bogart Gangnam Style (Oppa Gangnam Style Parody)

It's now officially a craze. I'm talking about this viral hit " Oppa Gangnam Style" by Psy. Its everywhere now be it online, on radio and TV and as expected, has spawned a number of parodies. Of course, when it comes to parody, Filipinos won't be far left behind. Here is one that has catching attention lately:

Kobe vs. MJ- Identical Plays..awesome!

Earthquake in Kuwait

Earthquake in Kuwait

Well, apparently..I didn't feel a thing, to think that I was already up that time (7:32 local time)..I just came to know about it because some of my friends in Facebook were talking about it this morning..the above link confirmed its true, I can just hope and pray that there won't be any repeat....I mean, Kuwait is not known to be in an earthquake zone (or so I thought), so even if I am in the construction industry myself, I am not quite sure about the structures of most of the buildings here.

Salamat Dolphy (1928-2012)

Kahit ngayong kabi-kabila na ang pag-alala at pakikisimpatiya ng lahat ng Pinoy saan man sa mundo sa pagkawala ni Mang Dolphy, pakiramdam ko kelangan ko ring makapagsulat ng kahit munting tribute para sa kanya. Ewan ko ba..hindi naman ako kaano-ano, ni hindi naman kakilala pero kagaya ng karamihan sa atin, bahagi ng aking kabataan si Dolphy...may isang bahagi sa sarili ko na nalungkot..nakakalungkot naman talaga yung mabalitaan na wala na yung isang kakilala, yun bang para akong namatayan ng malapit na kamag-anak. At bakit naman hindi..sa ilang taon rin namang kasa-kasama natin sa ating mga tahanan si Dolphy..sa telebisyon..sa sine..

Naalala ko pa dati nung bata pa ako, wala pa kaming TV, ni wala pa ngang kuryente sa barangay namin pero kilala ko na si Dolphy. Halos laking sinehan ako. Ninong sa kasal nina Tatay yung may-ari ng dati'y nag-iisang sinehan sa bayan namin. Makinista pa sa naturang sinehan ang isang kapatid ni Tatay. Tindera naman ng kakanin ang Lola ko-buchi, kamote cue. Madalas nilalako nya ito sa oras ng sine at madalas kapag nakahabilin ako kay lola, kasa-kasama rin nya ako paglalako.Nakakabisado ko na nga ang palabas, sa araw-gabi ba naman halos na labas-masok ako sa sinehan ..lalo na kung Tagalog ang palabas. ..Nino Muhlach. FPJ. Lito Lapid. at syempre Dolphy. Kahit ulit-ulitin,ayos lang.

Isa naman sa kinakasabikan ko pag napapaluwas ng maynila ay ang makapanood ng TV sa bahay ng mga tiyahin ko. Kapanahunan ng Channel 13 at 9 noon, kasikatan yan ng EAT Bulaga, Iskul Bukol, TODAS at siempre John en Marsha..sino bang hindi nakakaalala sa pinakakagiliwang pamilya sa telebisyon..ang mag-asawang si John Puruntong at Marsha, ang matinis na boses ni Matutina at ang walang kamatayang linya ni Donya Delilah.."Kaya John..magsumikap ka"..

Grade 5 na yata ako ng magkakuryente sa lugar namin. Siempre isa sa mga sinadyang maipundar nina Tatay ang TV. Black and white na de-pihit ang channel at laminated wood ang katawan. Wala pang cable noon kaya antenna lang sa bubong na madalas mawala ang signal lalo na kung umuulan at mahangin. Pero ayos lang. Ang importante sa amin noon, may TV na kami. Makakapanood na ng mga paborito naming palabas. Makakapanood na ng John en Marsha.Ilang taon pa bago kami naka-afford ng Colored TV. Wala ng John en Marsha pero may Home Along Da Riles na. Wala na si John pero ganun pa rin ang sayang dala ng pamilya ni Mang Kevin (Dolphy), ni Aling Ason (Nova Villa) at ni Richie (played by Babalu). Walang kupas.

Iba talaga ang karisma ng isang Dolphy. Palibhasa puro ordinaryong tao ang kinatawan nya sa mga naging palabas kaya masang-masa talaga ang dating. May nakikita ang bawat nanonood na bahagi ng pagkatao nila sa kanya, sa bawat eksena, sa bawat sitwasyon. Sinalamin nya ang tipikal na Pilipino na may prinsipyo, masayahin, may respeto at pagmamahal sa pamilya...Masayahin daw kasi ang mga Pilipino, laging tumatawa, laging nakangiti kahit sa harap ng mga pagsubok. Kaya naman hindi nakakapagtakang minahal at pinatuloy natin sa ating mga tahanan ang isang Dolphy..At lalong hindi rin nakakapagtakang ganito na lamang ang pagsimpatiyang pinadarama ng sambayanan sa kanyang pagkawala..

Gayunpa man, mawala man ang isang Hari ng Komedya, alam ko na hindi mawawala ang kanyang alaala..Malalim ang iniwan niyang puwang hindi lamang sa industriya ng Pelikulang Pilipino, kundi sa lipunan at kasaysayan. Marami pang magagaling na komedyante, marami pang susunod, marami pang magpapatawa.. Pero hindi na siguro mapapantayan ang kanyang mga naiambag sa ating kultura. Hindi sapat ang pagkilala at parangal pero alam ko na alam nya, walang makakapantay na tropeo at medalya sa pagmamahal at respetong ibinibigay sa kanya ngayon ng sambayanan..Mawala man ang Hari ng Komedya, mananatili ang ngiti at saya sa bawat tahanang Pilipino dala ng alala ng isang Dolphy.

Hindi man ako kapamilya o kakilala, pero para sa yo Mang Dolphy, maraming salamat po mga tawa at sayang naidulot ninyo sa amin..Masaya na siguro kayo ngayon...may reunion sa langit si John at Marsha pati si Donya Delilah. Kasama pa si Richie. si Panchito. si Chiquito. si FPJ. at iba pa. Masaya ang all-stars na sitcom sa langit.

LeBron James and the Miami Heat, NBA Champs 2012

After 9 seasons with 2 teams, 3 Regular Season MVP, 3 Finals appearance and 1 Decision, LeBron James is finally crowned King of the basketball world as he lead the Miami Heat in capturing the 2012 NBA Championship.

Story:  NBA
           Yahoo Sports
         

40 Richest People in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines -- SM tycoon Henry Sy tops this year's Forbes list of 40 richest people in the Philippines, which includes the head honchos of some of the largest companies in the country.

With an impressive net worth of $9.1 billion, Lucio Tan is at a rather far second with a net worth of $4.5 billion.

Notables include port entrepreneur Enrique Razon Jr., Senator Manuel Villar, and others.

The top 40 richest in the Philippines are:

1) Henry Sy - $9.1 billion (SM Prime)
2) Lucio Tan - $4.5 billion (Phillip Morris Fortune Tobacco)
3) Enrique Razon Jr. - $3.6 billion (International Container Terminal Services)
4) John Gokongwei Jr. - $3.2 billion (JG Summit)
5) David Consunji - $2.7 billion (DMCI)

6) Andrew Tan - $2.3 billion (Alliance Global)
7) Jaime Zobel de Ayala - $2.2 billion (Ayala Corp.)
8) George Ty - $1.7 billion (Metropolitan Bank)
9) Roberto Ongpin - $1.5 billion (Atok-Big Wedge)
10) Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. - $1.4 billion (San Miguel)

11) Roberto Coyiuto Jr. - $1.3 billion (National Grid)
12) Tony Tan Caktiong - $1.25 billion (Jollibee Foods)
13) Lucio and Susan Co - $1.2 billion (Puregold Price Club)
14) Iñigo and Mercedes Zobel - $1.15 billion (Ayala Corp.)
15) Emilio Yap - $1.1 billion (Philtrust Bank)

16) Jon Ramon Aboitiz - $955 million (Aboitiz Equity Ventures)
17) Andrew Gotianun - $825 million (Filinvest Development)
18) Manuel Villar - $720 million (Vista Land and Lifescapes)
19) Beatrice Campos - $700 million (Unilab)
20) Vivian Que Azcona - $690 million (Mercury Drug)

21) Alfonso Yuchengco - $570 million (Rizal Commercial Bank)
22) Mariano Tan Jr. - $420 million (Unilab)
23) Enrique Aboitiz - $400 million (Aboitiz & Co.)
24) Eric Recto - $365 million (Alphaland)
25) Jose Antonio - $300 million (Century Properties Group)

26) Gilberto Duavit - $270 million (GMA Network)
27) Menardo Jimenez - $265 million (GMA Network)
28) Frederick Dy - $260 million (Security Bank)
29) Manuel Zamora Jr. - $255 million (Nickel Asia)
30) Alfredo Ramos - $$250 million (Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development)

31) Oscar Lopez - $245 million (ABS-CBN)
32) Felipe Gozon - $240 million (GMA Network)
33) Betty Ang - $235 million (Monde Nissin)
34) Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. - $230 million (Alaska Milk)
35) Juliette Romualdez - $200 million (Banco de Oro)

36) Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. - $195 million (Rustan Commercial)
37) Jacinto Ng Sr. - $190 million (Rebisco)
38) Tomas Alcantara - $160 million (Alsons Consolidated Resources)
39) Michael Cosiquien - $150 million (Megawide Construction)
40) Edgar Sia II - $140 million (Mang Inasal)

Source: ABS-CBN News

'Captain Marvel': Drawn from Pangasinan

His secret origin reminds you of Charice's. He posted his most breathtaking Thor artwork yet online. Someone tweeted it. It reached Marvel Comics. And now, he's penciling “Captain Marvel,” the flagship superhero of the world's largest comic publisher.

A preview of the artworks for Captain Marvel done by Dexter Soy
Dexter Soy, an architecture graduate and freelance artist from Pangasinan, must have thanked the god of thunder for receiving his biggest break from Marvel Comics. But Soy credits “Trese” creator Budjette Tan as the reason he landed the gig.

More of the story here: Captain Marvel': Drawn from Pangasinan

Store calls for graffiti artists

Al Maha.com published a call for graffiti artists in Kuwait to go visit Pink Moon and do their thing on the store's side walls. I think its a welcome opportunity for these "underground" artists and I wonder how they will respond to this.

The call comes with a small warning though, saying the store is not responsible for the wall so if  the government decides to repaint it, they can do it.

Contact: info@mypinkmoon.com
Photo courtesy of Al Maha.com

SEEN: It's More Fun in the Philippines....in Kuwait.

In observance of the Philippine Independence Day, a popular hypermarket chain here in Kuwait decorates its store with the Philippine national colors and "It's More Fun in the Philippines" posters..they been doing that every year and not only for the Philippine, but also for other countries' National Days, like the US, UK, Thailand, India among others. I guess its a simple tribute to all its loyal customers and staff... they're the only ones doing that here in Kuwait, and I gave them props for that..

King with no Ring wins, King of the Ring lost

It was a big day for sports fans as two highly anticipated matches happened today.

First up was the NBA Game 7 match-up between Eastern Conference rivals Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. The Heat forced this game via an MVP-like performance by LeBron James in Game 6. It was a statement game for James who was often criticized for folding in big games. Today, the Heat won the game , the Eastern Conference trophy and the right to meet the rising Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City Thunders in the NBA Finals starting on Tuesday, June 12.

After the basketball game, fans switched to watch the boxing match between American Timothy Bradley and Filipino Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao. Many fans, still enthusiastic with the thrilling basketball game, are already expecting a double celebration with an anticipated dominant victory for PacMan. But the end result shocked fans, analysts and observers as Bradley won via Split Decision over the much-heralded Pacquiao.

Two of the judges scored 115-113 with only one judge calling the match for Manny. It was a controversial win that overshadowed the Heat and James victory and one which will surely be a hot topic for the days to come.

I can only say, you win some, you lose some. And others can make you lose even if you clearly won..sadly, this is how the game is played sometimes.

Barrio Fiesta 2012-Philippine Independence Day Celebrations in Kuwait

Filipinos in Kuwait celebrated Philippine Independence Day 2012 last Friday, June 8. The festivities, dubbed Barrio Fiesta sa Embahada, was organized by the Embassy with the support of Filipino organizations in Kuwait. Held at the new Embassy grounds in Faiha district, activities include a food fair, specialty booths sponsored by Pinoy orgs, parlor games for kids and adults and of course, music courtesy of Pinoy DJ's and bands. Filipinos who attended the event, many are wearing flag-inspired shirts, surely enjoyed the activities of the day, the first of what could be an annual gathering here in Kuwait.

Here are some photos I took from the event:

Obama sings Call Me Maybe

This is way too funny :)

D-days are here again, Kuwait

After continuous dust storm for the last ten days, it's good to finally have clear skies again today. But knowing the weather here in Kuwait,  it won't be long before the dreaded dust makes a comeback..

For now, we will just enjoy the good weather while it lasts.

Food Trip: Jollibee in Kuwait

Finally, I took a bite of the Bee.

Three days after it opened, Jollibee Kuwait is still overflowing with enthusiastic Pinoys waiting in line for hours, wanting to have a taste of home away from home.

Last night, I became part of that mob.

As soon as I arrived home from work yesterday, I asked my wife if she wants to try our luck tonight, she said okay. My daughter must have overheard us and said "Daddy, teacher asked us if we've been to Jollibee already and everybody said Yes, I am the only one No." Okay, so it only means we have to go..lol.

As expected, when we reached the store there's still a queue outside. So we decided to go and do other matters then just come back later.

And come back we did. It was already past 9 by then, about an hour and a half since we first passed by. There were still people in line outside, but at least fewer than the previous days so I thought this should not take long.

I joined the line. When I was standing there, I felt a sort of embarrassment to myself... like I was telling how these people could stand hours of waiting just to have a burger and chicken...like I told before I would wait for the madness to settle down maybe in a months time before  I bring my family here...and yet, here I am, standing outside, waiting patiently for my burger and chicken..LOL!

Inch by inch the line moved until I found myself already inside the store..weee! I am just a few minutes away from the counter. But those minutes quickly turned to hour and yet I felt we are not moving any closer. Darn, this waiting is taking forever and the smell of freshly cooked chicken is killing me. I watched as one by one, customers make their order and as they happily collect their bags of goodness and turned away from the counter with a sigh of relief and desperation. I heard one said, " Sa wakas (At last), after 3 hours!"..I also watched in amazement how one lady ordered just one burger meal for take out..She was there from 7 pm and she ordered just that? Oh well..

Closing time is coming and I can sense an increased feeling of anxiety with my fellow customers. Add to this,  some items are already being sold out! Like what the..**!, you waited long enough only to be told "Sorry, Sir..Sorry Ma'am, sold out na po." 

Anyway, my turn came so I made my order.. and I made sure I have all I wanted..I mean, if you waited that long, better make it sure it's worth the wait..hah!

We drove back home, tired and hungry and cold.. By close to midnight, we had our dinner...on bed!..just so tired to have a meal on the dining table...I finished my burger within minutes and Mommy finished half of hers before we turned our attention to the chicken meal..my girls are also delighted with their spaghetti meal, and in fact, even alternately taking a bite from our burgers!..in less than 10 minutes, we're done...

So was it worth all that?.Definitely!...seeing the smiles..and the spaghetti sauce...on my girl's face..It's definitely yes.

Will I do it again? No..not that soon..I will come back there again after a month's time, after all these madness has settled down...

Or until I crave for another burger..

Jollibee opens in Kuwait

The bee is in Kuwait. Again.

There were some rumors already swirling around a few months ago that a store will open here soon. That rumor turned out to be a fact. And everyone- at least the Filipino community- becomes excited about it. 

Today, February 25, it becomes a reality.

Labor Attache David Des Dicang and franchise owner Yacqoub Al Hajery cuts the ribbon to formally open the store in Kuwait City, February 25.

Fr. Ben Barrameda officiates the blessing of the store with selected guests.

The large crowd that turns out for the event waits outside the store despite the rain and cold wind.

Philippine fast food giant, Jollibee, "re-opened" its doors to its loyal customers here in Kuwait. Yes, I wrote "re-opened" because there used to be one store here when I first arrived "few" years ago. They closed down for still unknown reasons but anyway, it's not my story.

What is important is it's here. The "langhap-sarap" goodness every Filipino-young or old- comes to love and made this brand one of the most recognizable name in the Philippines, is here. 

My kids are already too excited  about our first visit but that's not gonna happen anytime soon. We'll just have to wait until all these excitement dies down a bit. I'd prefer to have a good seat while enjoying a bite of the Champ with my wife :)

Argh. I can't wait.

The store is located in downtown Kuwait, behind the Main Post Office, the same building as Caesar's Restaurant and Kodak.

Credits:
Jollibee Kuwait Facebook page
Photos by Jobz Torres and Tin de los Santos.

Convoy of Ferraris in Kuwait

A large convoy of Ferraris head to Marina Crescent in Salmiya, Kuwait to take part in a parade marking the birthday of Enzo Ferrari, one of the side events of Concours d'Elegance 2012.



Video credits: q8engineer
Related post: 248am

Jeremy Who?!

Jeremy Lin. That's who.

Seems like his name is everywhere these days..Linsanity. Lincredible. Linsational. Call him any Lin nickname you can think of.. And why not?

Everybody knows his story. He is the surprise star of this lockout-shortened NBA season. A perfect story line for a made-for-TV series...even a feel-good Hollywood movie.

A player of Asian descent, who did not receive any athletic scholarship, went undrafted out of college, signed by his hometown team to be used sparingly in NBA games, occasionally sent out to the D-League before being waived off to clear salary space. He eventually landed with the New York Knicks.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Or maybe... the legend is just beginning.



You don't have to be basketball fan..not even a New York Knicks fan..to like this guy. I mean, come on. We all have this fantasy that one day, all our dreams will come true, right?

Then here is one man living out his dreams and enjoying every moment of it. So better believe it.



Suddenly, the NBA is not just about Kobe, LeBron,Wade and Griffins anymore. But definitely, it is becoming a better place.

At the 2012 Grammy Awards

 

Album of the Year: 21, Adele

Record of the Year: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele

New Artist: Bon Iver

Country Album: Own the Night, Lady Antebellum

Song of the Year: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth, songwriter

R&B Album: F.A.M.E., Chris Brown

Rock Performance: "Walk," Foo Fighters

Rap Performance: "Otis," Jay-Z and Kanye West

Pop Solo Performance: "Someone Like You," Adele

Pop Vocal Album: 21, Adele

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Duets Ii, Tony Bennett and Various Artists

Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Body and Soul," Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse

Short Form Music Video: "Rolling in the Deep," Adele

Long Form Music Video: "Foo Fighters: Back and Forth," Foo Fighters

Rap/Sung Collaboration: "All of the Lights," Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie

Rap Song: "All of the Lights," Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter and Kanye West

Rap Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West

R&B Performance: "Is This Love," Corinne Bailey Rae

Traditional R&B Performance: "Fool for You," Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona

R&B Song: "Fool for You," Cee Lo Green and Jack Splash

Pop Instrumental Album: The Road From Memphis, Booker T. Jones

Country Solo Performance: "Mean," Taylor Swift

Country Duo/Group Performance: "Barton Hollow," The Civil Wars

Country Song: "Mean," Taylor Swift

Folk Album: Barton Hollow, The Civil Wars

Hard Rock/Metal Performance: "White Limo," Foo Fighters

Rock Song:  "Walk," Foo Fighters, Songwriters (Foo Fighters)

Rock Album: Wasting Light, Foo Fighters

Alternative Music Album: Bon Iver, Bon Iver

Producer of the Year: Non-Classical: Paul Epworth

Read more: E!Online

Filipino Boxer Casimero attacked by Argentinian boxing fans

From Vavel.com, translated:


The fight between Luis Lazarte and Johnriel Casimero ended in scandal. The Filipino won the flyweight interim title of the IBF. Minutes later the victory was marred by the outbreak of a pitched battle. The triumph of Asian boxer on the Mar del Plata by KO in the tenth round drew the ire of many viewers who got into the ring.

The overwhelming victory of Casimero could not formalized, as hundreds of people invaded the ring. The attackers, who were identified with flags of the Teamsters Union, to hurt the Filipino boxer whizzed chairs, bottles and punches. Meanwhile, the policeman at Club Eleven States of Mar del Plata could not contain the clutter. Even the journalists who were in the area fled terrified by the brutality of the incident.

In the fight itself, the process was very smooth and sloppy until the end of the ninth assault, Casimero clearly impacted on the face of Lazarte. The Argentine felt the blow and fell on the ropes. Later, the fall was repeated. This time by a combination of blows of Asia.

Prior to the completion of combat, Lazarte had committed several offenses and made ​​the podium gestures that warmed the air. Among other things, the Argentine bit the ear of his opponent and hit him in the neck. In fact, this latter action led the referee to deduct a point. Meanwhile, visitors also had disqualifying actions over his rival and was punished twice in the fourth and the eighth round.

From scandal to harsh penalties await the authorities of the organizing committee of the evening. Even Lazarte itself could be punished very harshly. In the coming days will be released an official report with the final decision.

Recognize this guy?

No?
Look again.

Still no?
You don't have any clue?
Look at the hair, the eyes.
Still no?


Okay.This might help.

Yes! It's him.
He is Macaulay Culkin of Home Alone film series fame.

Tsk. tsk. Poor guy, huh?

Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

(REUTERS) Grammy-winning singer and actress Whitney Houston, one of the most talented performers of her generation who lived a turbulent personal life and admitted drug use, died on Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel room. She was 48.


A Beverly Hills police officer told reporters they were called to the Beverly Hilton, in Los Angeles, at around 3:20 p.m. PST and that emergency personnel found Houston's body in a fourth-floor room, and she was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.

15 Random Facts about Valentine's Day

In celebration of the day of hearts, here are some interesting facts about Valentine's Day:

Sales of condoms and contraceptive pills are higher during Valentine's week, several companies that sell these products have claimed. Among them are Durex and Yes2condom, a 24/7 online retail service.

Last year, a party-list group in the Philippines gave out free condoms on Valentine's Day as part of an effort to inform people on reproductive rights and secure support for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill.

On February 14, 2001, 34 couples from 22 countries exchanged wedding vows ten meters underwater near Kradan Island in Southern Thailand. This currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most number of couples married simultaneously underwater.

Last year, Iran banned Valentine tokens such as teddy bears as part of an Islamic republic backlash against Western culture. In 2003, religious activists in India raided shops and burned Valentine's Day cards, while some in Pakistan condemned the occasion as "a day of shame and lust."

In Japan, women give chocolates to their boyfriends, male friends and co-workers on Valentine's Day. Men return the favor on March 14, known as White Day, by handing out white chocolates, lingerie and jewelry to their female friends and loved ones.

A group of feminists began to celebrate an occasion called "Quirkyalone Day" as an alternative to Valentine's Day. It is geared toward people who "resist the tyranny of coupledom." The SAD or Single Awareness Day, on the other hand, aims to remind people that they do not need to be in a relationship to celebrate the 14th of February.

The largest chocolate bar mosaic on the Guinness World Records was made in Switzerland during February 14, 2011. It is 18.35 meters long and made with 1,500 bars of white chocolate and red-colored white chocolate.

Flowers given during Valentine's Day have different meanings. Red roses mean love, yellow roses mean friendship, and pink roses mean friendship or sweetheart. Red carnations mean admiration, white carnations mean pure love, red chrysanthemums mean love, and primrose means young love.

In Germany, young girls would plant onions in a pot on Valentine's Day, and place the name of a boy next to each onion. They believed that they would marry the boy whose name was nearest to the first onion to grow.

Young girls in the United States and the United Kingdom believed that they could tell the type of man they would marry based on the type of bird they first saw on Valentine's Day. A blackbird means a clergyman, a robin redbeast means a sailor, while a goldfinch indicates that they would marry a rich man. A sparrow means a farmer, a blue bird a happy man, a crossbill an argumentative man, and a dove a good man. Seeing a woodpecker is said to mean that they would not marry at all.

A kiss on Valentine's Day is said to bring good luck all year.

In the medieval times, doves are widely believed to choose their mates on February 14. It has become a favorite symbol for Valentine cards.

In 2010, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi had what may be the priciest Valentine offer: a seven-day stay for $1 million. The offer included a romantic dinner in-suite or on a yacht at sea, helicopter flights, use of the Abu Dhabi golf course, horse riding, watching camel racing, and perfume making. A private jet was also on call for a quick shopping spree to other countries in the region.

Last year, the New York Bronx Zoo gave people a chance to name a Madagascar-hissing cockroach after their special someone as a Valentine's Day offering. The Madagascar is the largest and noisiest variety of cockroach.

It is said that teachers receive the most Valentine cards, followed by children, mothers and wives. Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine cards every year.

Source:

ABS-CBN News

Random History

Guiness World Records
Photo credits to original owners