Lotto? Why not

This is the summary
Lottery has always been a big box office hit worldwide.
From Europe, North America, Australia. Asia and God
know where else. More so true in the Philippines
and since then it turned a lucky few to be instant
millionaires.

In the Philippines, Lottory Started around 1995
governed and controlled by government agency in order
to raise funds for charity.The PCSO or Philippine
Charity Sweaptakes Office was created and given task as
mandated by law. Historically it seems that lottory
in different forms started way back during Spanish era.

SEE:
http://www.pcso.gov.ph/aboutpcso_site/pcso_history.aspx


But I wasn’t until 1995 that the game lottory became a big
hit compare to previous types of games introduced to the
public. I mean! the pot prizes is crazily huge and growing
from 7 figure to 9 in just a month or two.
A few days ago I bought a lottory ticket. I remember I
friend of mind asking him self a question. When will I
win? A another friend of mine said winning is impossible.
I myself don’t ask such question nor do I think its impossibility.
Coz, I know even in losing I can still make a difference.
So I decided to make a post about it, and see where it goes.

The odds

It’s always been said that the odds of winning is 5,000,000+
to 1, and it get higher as more numbers are added for
selection. With this kind of odds, experts on statistics
believe that a person is more likely be hit by lighting than
winning the lottory.

Philippine Lottory table of Chances

Type of Game odds of winning
6/42 5,000,000+ to 1
6/45 8,000,000+ to 1
6/49 13,000,000+ to 1
Power lotto 34,000,000+ to 1

With these kind of odds its more likely that someone can
throw a rotten egg on the Madam GMA's face a live to tell
to tale.
Discouraging the odds may be, this fact did little to
sway ordinary Filipino lotto patron’s from buying.
I should know coz I’m one of them.
But why?

Surely anyone educated enough would know the odds.
why then? average people like myself takes such odds.
Personally, I don’t know what other people may say, but
for me its a "safe odds". Sure, statistics may say that
it’s more likely a person to be struck by lightning, be in
a road accident, choke on your own food or being abducted by
aliens or something. Taking chances on lottory is something
you can always walk away from, no matter how big the odds
are. And it’s the kind of odds a person choose to have without
sticking head out of a running car.

Honestly I’d rather buy a ticket than a pack of smoke.

I think the real issue is not the odds and probability of
winning. But more on the issue on the "Hope" logic.

But is it really logical putting your chances on something
despite of odds? I’m sure, answer may vary from person
to person.

At any rate here in the Philippines where poverty is at its
all time high.Things like "odds and probability" and even
logic takes a back seat. And in the end it all comes to
"NONE of your Business".
Anyway even if you dont win it always makes a good story.

The "I Almost Won Stories"

Better luck next time " I wonder when? "

Not something to brag about, but I have many experiences in
the Phrase " I almost won "category. The closes was when I
got all correct winning numbers The only problem was they
were all part of different sets of combinations.
wrong side of the Island

Another story was from my very own brother. He got all the
winning numbers "GOOD NEWS" except that he was in the
wrong side of the country.Apparently 6/42 is a regional lottory
divided in two Luzon draw for the Luzon region and viz/min
draw for Visayas and Mendanao regions. The exact Number
combination he bought was drawn in Luzon and his in the
Visayas.
The Particular Day

Another heart warming story was from a humble motorcycle
driver who happen to be a close friend of my brother. Ever
since Lottory began in the Philippines, he always make point
to buy tickets everyday and always the same number
combinations. He kept on buying it everyday for many years.
Until one particular day on one particular year he decided
to skip buying his favorite "lucky combination" just only
for that day.

"Since I’ve been buying this combination for many years,
I think I should skip it for today and buy it tomorrow"
Unfortunately on that particular day he decided to skip, the
number combination he was buying for many years was drawn
and became the winning number combination with a jackpot
prize of more than 50 million.
So, What’s so heart warming about this story?

With all the emotions accumulated its bound to warm a persons
heart in a different way that is,just observe the emo icons.

Oh Crap!

Other than the 4 main lotto game types, there is also minor
type of these is the 4 digit game. Which has a pot prize of
P20,000 per P10 play. This means that anyone can double the
amount of the prize or more depending the amount being paid.
Just so happens that there was this particular friend. Who got
it right, but dealt with it wrongly.

Prior to the eventful saga of his life this particular guy
bought his tickets almost on the daily basis. He also has a
habit of keeping his bought ticket no matter the outcome
(losing tickets).For the reason only he can comprehend.

The day came when he actually won, He was in ecstasy my brother
recalled. He was so happy and told my brother that his patience
payed of, much to my brothers envy. He even show my brother
all the losing tickets he accumulated for many years all having the
same number combination, And true enough my brother said,
He was buying the same number combination.

For some reason only he can comprehend, he started burning the
old tickets. In front of everyone apparently he also accidentally torch
his winning ticket as well.

My brother and company only looked a gasp in disbelief.

That’s life I guess.

To end the post I just what to say to both species of people.
To the Rationalist and statistician or what ever you are.
No matter how big the odds are, someone will always be part
of it.

And for the lotto patrons
Don’t buy lotto unless its for charity.
Don’t make lottory your life’s pursuit.

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"Herbs" Ginger

One of the most common herb is "Ginger" and can be

found almost everywhere usually use for Asian culinary.

But other than being just a spice it also has medicina value.

Historical Background:

Ginger is native to India and China. It takes its name from

the Sanskrit word stringa-vera, which means “with a body

like a horn”, as in antlers. Ginger has been important in

Chinese medicine for many centuries, and is mentioned in

the writings of Confucius. It is also named in the Koran,

the sacred book of the Moslems, indicating it was known

in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.D. It was one of the

earliest spice known in Western Europe, used since the

ninth century. It became so popular in Europe that it was

included in every table setting, like salt and pepper.

A common article of medieval and Renaissance trade,

it was one of the spices used against the plague. In

English pubs and taverns in the nineteenth century,

barkeepers put out small containers of ground ginger,

for people to sprinkle into their beer the origin

of ginger ale. In order to ’gee up’ a lazy horse,

it is the time honored practice of Sussex farmers to apply

a pinch of ginger to the animal’s backside.

Culinary Uses

It is used in pickles, chutneys and curry pastes and

Fresh ginger is essential to Asian and oriental cookery.

the ground dried root is a constituent of many curry

powders. Tender young ginger can be sliced and

eaten as a salad. Sometimes the roots will produce

green sprouts which can be finely chopped and added

to a green salad. In the West, dried ginger is mainly

used in cakes and biscuits, especially ginger snaps and

gingerbread. Ginger is also used in puddings, jams,

preserves and in some drinks like ginger beer, ginger

wine and tea. Pickled ginger is a delicious accompaniment

and a colorful garnish to many Chinese dishes.

Preserved ginger is eaten as a confection, chopped up for

cakes and puddings, and is sometimes used as an ice

cream ingredient.

Medicinal Properties

Ginger has long been ascribed aphrodisiac powers
taken either internally or externally. It is
mentioned in the Karma Sutra, and in the Melanesian
Islands of the South Pacific it is employed ‘to
gain the affection of a woman’s. Conversely,
in the Philippines it is chewed to expel evil spirits.
Ginger is a known diaphoretic, meaning it causes
one to sweat. It was recorded that Henry VIII
instructed the mayor of London to use ginger’s
diaphoretic qualities as a plague medicine.
Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness
as a digestive aid. By increasing the production of
digestive fluids and saliva, Ginger helps relieve
indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping.
The primary known constituents of Ginger Root
include gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel, oleoresins,
starch, essential oil, mucilage, and protein.
Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related
to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Ginger
has been found to be even more effective than Dramamine
in curbing motion sickness, without causing drowsiness.
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain
and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis,
rheumatism and muscle spasms. Ginger’s therapeutic
properties effectively stimulate circulation of the
blood, removing toxins from the body, cleansing the
bowels and kidneys, and nourishing the skin. Other
uses for Ginger Root include the treatment of asthma,
bronchitis and other respiratory problems by loosening
and expelling phlegm from the lungs. Ginger Root may
also be used to help break fevers by warming the body
and increasing perspiration.

Ok, As mention ginger has been use for centuries.

in food as will as in medicine.

Benefits of using Ginger:

• Relieves rheumatic pains & muscle pains
• Alleviates sore throat, fever, nausea
• Intestinal disorders and slow digestion
• Treat intestinal worms
• Hinder diarrhea, gas pains
• Relieve indigestion (dyspepsia), toothaches
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Aids treatment of tuberculosis

Forms of Ginger Available

Ginger products are made from fresh or dried
ginger root, or from steam distillation
of the oil in the root. The herb is available
in extracts, tinctures, capsules, and oils.
Fresh ginger root can also be purchased and
prepared as a tea. And as mention Ginger is

also a common cooking spice and can be found

in a variety of foods and drinks, including ginger bread,
ginger snaps, ginger sticks, and ginger ale

Preparation:

• Boil the root in water and drink.
The more concentrated the better.

• For sore throat and tooth ache,
remove the skin and chew small portions.

• For cuts & bruises, apply the juice directly
to the skin.

• For rheumatism and muscle pains, pound
the root and apply to painful areas -can
be mixed with oil for easy application.

Dosage:

Pediatric

Ginger should not be used by children under
2 years of age. Ginger may be used by children
over 2 years of age to treat nausea, digestive
cramping, and headaches. Adjust the recommended
adult dose to account for the child’s weight.
Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated
on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore,
if the child weighs 50 lb (20 - 25 kg), the
appropriate dose of ginger for this child would be
1/3 of the adult dosage.

Adult

In general, ginger intake should not exceed 4 grams
in one day (this includes the ginger obtained through
diet such as from ginger ale, ginger snaps, and ginger
bread). Usually, food sources contain no more than
0.5% ginger.

Standardized dose: Take 75 - 2,000 mg in divided
doses with food, standardized to contain 4% volatile
oils or 5% total pungent compounds including 6-gingerol
or 6-shogaol.

For nausea, gas, or indigestion: 2 - 4 grams of fresh
root daily (0.25 - 1.0 g of powdered root) or 1.5 -
3.0 mL (30 - 90 drops) liquid extract daily. To prevent
vomiting, take 1 gram of powdered ginger (1/2 tsp) or
its equivalent, every 4 hours as needed (not to exceed
4 doses daily), or 2 ginger capsules (1 gram), 3 times
daily. You may also chew a 1/4 oz piece of fresh ginger
when needed.

To relieve arthritis pain: Take fresh ginger juice, extract,
or tea, 2 - 4 grams daily. Topical ginger oil may also be
rubbed into a painful joint. Fresh ginger root may also be
placed in a warm poultice or compress and apply to painful
areas.

For cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, headache and
menstrual cramps: Steep 2 tbsp of freshly shredded ginger
in hot water, 2 - 3 times daily. A drop of ginger oil or a
few slices of fresh rhizome may also be placed in steaming
water and inhaled.

Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach
to strengthening the body and treating disease.
Herbs, however, contain components that can
trigger side effects and interact with other
herbs, supplements, or medications. For these
reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under
the supervision of a health care provider
qualified in the field of botanical medicine.

Side effects associated with ginger are rare, but
if taken in excessive doses the herb may cause mild
heartburn. Some of the mild gastrointestinal side
effects, such as belching, heartburn, or stomach upset,
may be relieved by taking ginger supplements in capsules.

People with gallstones should consult a doctor before
taking ginger. Make sure to tell your doctor if you are
taking ginger and will be going to surgery or placed
under anesthesia for any reason. Do not take ginger if

you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood

thinning medications, including aspirin.

Possible Interactions

Ginger may alter the effects of some prescription and
non-prescription medications. If you are currently
being treated with any of the following medications,
you should not use ginger without first talking to
your health care provider.

Blood-thinning medications

Although ginger may interfere with blood clotting,
there have been no scientific or case reports of interactions
between ginger and blood-thinning medications, such as
aspirin and warfarin. However, people taking medications
that thin the blood should use ginger only under the
supervision of a health care provider.

I Think that sums up everything. Hope this help you in anyway.

If you want to know more about ginger and other herbs

Just visits these site.

http://nccam.nih.gov

http://www.umm.edu

http://www.theepicentre.com

.

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Talk to me, My Cellphone

Cellphones nowadays are marvels of technology
they have almost everything you can think of and
all pack in one small package that we came to love
as the modern cellphone. Though they may not be
image of technological perfection. They do in many
ways change the shape of modern society.

Other than the usual "chit chat" and text message
any given cellphone can be your own personal camera
replacing the bulky ones which you usually carry in
a not so regular basis unless if its a cellphone,
And they can do more than taking posterity only your
mother could love. Cellphone vary from brands, technology
capability and capacity.

Cellphones like smart phone and PDA has more
professional function like organizer, Ms office and more.
Cellphone can also be your personal entertainment listening
to your mp3 music or watch movies and such. They can also be
a source on information the latest news not to mention
worthless gossips all accessible and made possible
through mobile technologies.

Not to be outdone cellphone service provider are fishing for
costumer offering low rate of services even raffle and
promotions I even remember one time here in the Philippines
that cellphone service providers offers text service to
famous local celebrity stars by just inputing corresponding
no#. and you can text and receive replies from them
of course the cost is 3x as much as a regular text. Even banks
offer mobile banking for payment, purchase and even fund transfers
(money laundering just kidding) all in your cellphone and to
top it all off mobile technologies was instrumental in the
downfall of the "Erap Administration" during Edza 2. Even in
today’s conflict in Mindanao due to lack of military field
communication battle hardened Filipino soldier and even rebels
used cellphone as battle field communications.
First time I ever seen a cellphone was way back in high school
during the early 90"s. Cellphones then were exclusively own by
big businessmen unlike today even the local idiot has one.
Old analog cellphone were huge and bulky. A friend of mine said
it was like having to carry a handset of your local phone both
only twice the size and twice the weight. Although I think he was
exaggerating I never could tell, I never had those things before.
Anyway, it was all analog then. And during those days pagers were
then king of the ring.
Apparently Pagers died out of service when new cellphone came
to the market that has text messaging capabilities. Easy to
access and extremely cheap service killed the pager reign.

I could still remember my first cellphone it was a second
hand Nokia 3210 which I haggled out from an officemate back in
2000 A.D.. I had that unit for about two weeks and trade it of
for a brand new Nokia 3310 from my brother who in that time was
selling cellphones .I can still remember my ex-girlfriend face
when she found out I have a brand new 3310 unit. She had a brand
new 3210 months before I bought my first cellphone and would
make fun of my second hand 3210 unit.
But now, Who's laughing and it turn out to be.
They who laughs last, laughs the best.
Any way my 3rd unit was a Nokia 3330 supposedly for my mother
to used but knowing her limited technological skill I ended
up using it. And I gave my old unit to my other brother.
Who seem to be the families depository used unwanted stuff
for no apparent reason. Anyway, I sold my 3rd unit to my
ex-girlfriend. And bought a brand new Nokia 3250. It’s all I
ever need for a cellphone and I don’t really need that much
to begin with anyway.

But then again maybe I do.

Anyway, this unit has 2mpix camera for photo and video, it
also hasmp3 player and other neat stuff packed in a box. And
I’ve been using this unit even now. With this in mind I wonder
what my next cellphone unit would be.
That my cell phone experience... What’s yours?

Cellphone had gone far through years though not close to
starsterk’s "tri-quarters"or the Japanese Anime "chobits" Now
there is something to think about.Given their current capabilities
and limitations I’d say they do the job well.

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FOOD in the Philippines

Food is essential to all things living and as being
here in the Philippines could be anything from High
end to Low end depending of financial background that
is. This post will explore the realm of Filipino food
from the Famous to the infamous. To the popular and
the less popular if there is such, Basically from a
dinner’s point of view of course depending on my budget.

My First Stop is Fast Food.
If your ask a child. What do you want to go and eat?
Chances are the child would say "Jollibee".....
Indeed Jollibee is a big name in the Philippines.
In fact its a leader in fast food in the Philippines.


Growing up in the 80’s I remember seeing Jollibee ads
on tv. I would directly ask my mom to buy me some of
those. Unfortunately during 80’s there weren’t really
that many branch store in the province, Mactan Island
in particular you need to go first to Cebu and that
would take for ever.
One of the secret of Jollibee's success story can be
trace to how it present itself to the public "fun and
happy ads" Are just one of the key elements to it’s
success. And the price cater common people. And the
result is that everywhere you go "Jollibee" branch is
just around a corner, it's already a house hold name.


My Jollibee Lunch taken on the 4th of September 2008 SM City

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