Goldfish Objects Recognition

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Apistogramma cacatuoides

THE GENUS APISTOGRAMMA This is a fairly large genus, boasting over 65 species of smaller cichlids that are rather localized in their natural distribution.  More commonly known as "dwarf cichlids", this popular genus spawn in the same manner as most of their larger cichlid family members.  The adults are easy to sex, as the males are much more brightly colored, and have extended dorsal and anal fins.  Although the juveniles look very alike, and are often sold as "mixed dwarf cichlids", as it's difficult to determine which species the young fish actually are, and if they are males or females.  This trait has been seized by cichlid breeders, and some interesting hybrids of Apistogramma (and other cichlid genera) have arisen over the past few decades.  Most eggs are ovid in shape, and are laid on the sides of rock, plants, and substrate rather than on top.  The egg colors range from a brownish-tan color to a white or clear color, and hatch in 2 to 5 days.  Most in this genus do well in 22 to 28 C and a pH range an acidic 6.2 to neutral 7.0.  Use light aeration, and don't keep this genus in an active room, as they get "spooked" easily.  They have a broad diet, but when ill, often require live foods to regain normal eating habits.

Source: http://www.versaquatics.com/southamericancichlids.htm

My Favorite Artworks of all time

I wish I still have my father's illustration with me and it would top the list of these collections...his drawings had been my first exposure and inspiration since then. But none of those artwork are with us now...Google search can't help me on this. Anyway, the following images you are about to see are artworks (and artist) that form part of my deep respect for this vocation...

   Top of the list is this piece, thank God the advent of internet able me to have a glimpse of this work again...a childhood memory of a calendar print that I have always admire. Coming from our very own First National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo...I'm also proud that we have the same first name but actually my name was taken from our action king, Fernando Poe, Jr.; who by the way is another National Artist. Well, this painting I can very well remember had been eternally pasted on our wall until we have to move to another house...

   Yes, we also have Da Vinci's Last Suffer, as another calendar favorite print of all time...but I always thought this one from Amorsolo is far more superior. Another favorite from Amorsolo is this next picture...

The most popular and most copied piece of the master. Ah! but still who can rival the way he paints the midday sun? 

   Next on my list is no other than "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.  

   It was the song first by Don McLean that really got me interested on the above work. Vincent had around a dozen version  of this work but to be exact this is the piece that I really admire, to be exact "Starry Night over the Rhone"--a piece that always gave me a nostalgic feeling...

   Before I became an advocate of symbolism I first delve as a pupil of surrealism...the following images are among the lasting influences this school of thought leave on me...

   First is the jumbled images of Yves Tanguy here...characterized my treatment of items in most of my artwork as well...

   Another excellent surrealist is Hans Kanters....and I liked almost all his works...specially the details...

When you speak of Surrealist of course, the first person that comes to mind is Salvador Dali...

      Obviously if you have seen my earlier works the familiarity of John F. Peto   is an approach that I still retain every now and then...the only still-life artist I know that can tell stories from everyday object...

I so much like all Peto's work I wish I could contain it all here...anyway here's another one that show the style I also ride into...

Another all time favorite is Ephraim Samson...I have a hard time looking for a sample of his watercolors. Can't find anything...

Last but definitely not the least is my mentor Arnel Agawin...

He works on handmade paper...

Here's a link to Agawin's portfolio on Carbonmade>> CLICK HERE

MUST WATCH PERFORMANCE

The moment I saw this performance I was totally mesmerized and magnetized...I decided instantly, that this should be shared...I'm not going to prolong my speech...on with the performance!!!

   Dear followers, presenting "Drum Dance" by The Little Angel of Korea...

...

The Best Magic Performance Ever

Remember how David Copperfield made the statue of Liberty disappeared during a live performance? On this collections you'll see even more awesome magic performed for all the world to see...
   The biggest Magic performances ever staged!!!

The camera position was so perfect that it seems it is expecting something is going to happen....eye witnesses and survivors saw NO orbs nor airplane neither but heard alternate or simultaneous bombing. 

3rd video was about a live reporting during the September 11...and there was no indication whatsoever of an incoming airplane...what hit World Trade Center seems to be a Missile...

If all the above video claims were true (Something that we should consider)
Who's behind all these attack if the Terrorist are not taking the responsibility? A possible answer to this....could be a large scale conspiracy....or the video below could give a hint...

A dangerous reality

He replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and saying, 'The time has come!' But don't believe them.--Luke 21:8

A scenario of someone declaring himself as Jesus Christ would be too obvious as a fraud that even those with little knowledge of the Scriptures could easily detect. Many preacher even taught the idea is possible or certain for the Bible said it so...but there's a problem with that concept when we take the same warning below this time by Matthew...

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.--Matthew 24:24

   Mark put it this way...Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. (Mark 13:6)

   Misleading many seems impossible if someone stand up and say "Pray unto me I am Jesus." because every preacher known alive would surely gather their flock in protest against that person and therefore can easily be debunk and exposed. So the case with the "elect" does not seems to fit easily. 

   So what was Jesus really saying here?

The Strategy

   Let's study the campaign material of the false Christ, Jesus said the impersonator will declare that he is the Messiah and add "The Time has come"... 

   Messiah or Christ means someone that will save, or took the position of the ultimate hero, a solution to an existing world crisis? A savior...our salvation.

   Salvation from what?

   "The Time Has Come"

   The answer could be Global Crisis. The person can be an Activist declaring protection of our planet. An environmentalist or a financial guru. That would be easier to accept than standing in favor of certain religion or denominations. Don't you think it's more logical for a thinking person to join a cause that is worth fighting for...like Women's equal rights, Child protection policies, declaration of protected areas, Globalization, ecumenical movements, etc...everybody can swore alliance to that, even other faith like Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam can easily be persuaded in such good intentions. 

   Remember also that this person will not stand alone, he will have host of followers or advocates, declaring the same agenda... 

for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.“But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.--Mark 13:22-23  

They will show signs and wonders

   What are these signs?

   Signs that Children should be protected against abuse, therefore create laws to protect them, even if it rejects Bible teaching on disciplines. The argument here is proper guidance to children including the teachings of God...not mandate coming from human principles. I am not tolerating here child abuse but actually stressing better future for children that have respect and fear of authorities. 

    Signs that we can align ourselves to Nature and feel the divine guidance without recognizing the God of the Bible. False forms of Christianity have become increasingly popular in our culture and it seems there is a resurgence of interest in things "spiritual." A good example of this false form of Christianity is being preach at the video above...go ahead and recognized similar tactics or brainwashing. 

   Signs that a great part of the world is in poverty. To solve the problem, unite the world currency and political system. 

   Signs that there are inequalities and poor countries are marginalized. What the False Christ could do to that? Create an Ultimate Judicial Body to protect helpless victims of Human Rights violations.

  The KKK for example has as one of its rallying cries, "We are Warriors fighting for our great white race, our families and our savior Jesus Christ."

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [2 Timothy 4:3-4]

   After above possible Character of an Anti-Christ, you might say it's hard therefore to spot who is who. That is why, it is more encouraging to engage in studying the Word of God. 

   If the elect or chosen can be deceived what more if you only have a couple of Bible verses in your pocket.

“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God". - Matthew 4:4

Coincidences or Divine

I'll just let you decide on these following images....

Dispute over Spratlys

   The Philippine claim over the Spratly Islands began in May 1956, when Tomas Cloma, owner of a Philippine fishing vessel company and director of the Philippine Maritime Institute, declared the founding of the new state called "Kalayaan" (Eng.: freedom). He found the islands while he, with his brothers and 40 crew, was adventuring in the vast South China Sea. Observing that there was no human settlement nor national flag present on them, he decided to establish the Kalayaan state. He posted a document in English, entitled Notice to the Whole World, on all features he claimed. His claim comprises about fifty features among the Spratly group.^[5] His declaration was met with violent reactions from other countries like China and South Vietnam, as well as the European countries of France, United Kingdom, and theNetherlands, who were representing their colonies in Southeast Asia. While the Philippines did not endorse the new state to the world, it acknowledged it as the true sovereign state. In September 1956, after the Republic of China occupied the largest island, Ligao Island (Itu Aba), Tomas Cloma decided to cede and sell all the territories of his state to the Philippines for just one peso (US$0.50 of the time).

A renewed tension on Spratly Island 

   March 2 incident in which the Philippine government accused two Chinese patrol boats of harassing a Filipino oil exploration ship into leaving a vast area called the Reed Bank. A Filipino general scrambled two military aircraft, which arrived at the scene after the Chinese vessels had left, the Philippine military said.

China and the Philippines have swapped diplomatic protests. Filipino officials say the Reed Bank, which lies off the western Philippine province of Palawan, is not a disputed territory. China countered by saying that it has jurisdiction over the Spratlys and adjacent waters.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie, left, shakes hands with his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin at the Defense Headquarters in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday May 23, 2011. Guanglie's visit comes amid renewed tension over the disputed Spratly's Islands which are claimed by China, Philippines and four other asian countries and terrotorites. Washington has expressed concerns that the disputes could hamper access to one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) — AP

Philippine authorities detected the presence of a submarine in the Sulu Sea off southern Jolo island last March. By the time the military reached the area to check, the unidentified submarine was gone, Gazmin said.

"It was an intrusion," he told The Associated Press. "But again, what can we do?"

Gazmin said huge funds are needed to modernize the 129,000-strong military so that it would be capable of guarding the archipelago's coastline, one of the world's longest.

Many of the navy's battleships have "succumbed to the punishment of wear and tear," with malfunctioning ones sidelined and never replaced. The few remaining ships are far below modern naval standards and are ready "to lie on their keels in the graveyard," he said.

"This is truly deplorable but plain reality," Gazmin said in a speech during the Philippine navy's founding anniversary.

If the Phil. is really serious on the matter they should stop calling the location  as South China sea instead it should be West Philippine sea. 

Two Sides of a Coin

The Girl Effect Campaign

A Father's Fear

Prisoner by Fher Ymas

. The issue is something we just can't ignore and simply let those brave ladies fight for these cause. As a father who according to the video you are about to watch (and I strongly suggest that you watch very intently...) had this sudden wake up call...I mean, my daughter is now six years old and that    "the clock is ticking" for me and my wife...another six years more and my daughter will be facing the challenges these girls are experiencing. That's not a life I would ever dream for my daughter. 
   I let the image settle for awhile on my head. Well, this is my daughter, I am providing him with an education she needed and hope so will continue as long as I can....BUT once I step back...just a stone throw away from where we live, I have seen similar stories of these young girls, having children before they turn 18. I saw how their lives are wasted in something that could have been avoided if they had the chance for a good education. 
   So I am joining this campaign for bloggers worldwide...with a hope to help in my little gesture to at least contribute in their wellness and to lessen those sinister girl effect and raise more awareness to what potential a girl could do.
   Here's how we can help as I grabbed one campaign from a blogger:

"SHE IS THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL FORCE FOR CHANGE.
An adolescent girl stands at the doorway of adulthood. If she stays in school, remains healthy, and gains skills, she will marry later, have fewer and healthier children, and earn an income that she’ll invest back into her family.
Her alternative is the path laid down by poverty. She’ll leave school early, marry too young, and miss the chance to reach her full human potential. Her tragedy, multiplied by the 600 million adolescent girls throughout the developing world – contributes to the endless cycle of poverty.
We know that adolescent girls are the key to breaking this cycle. Yet today only a tiny fraction of international aid is spent on her needs.
That’s why we’re here. For them, their families, and us all." Quote Fromhttp://www.coalitionforadolescentgirls.org/why_girls

Hear their stories from their own mouths here

Help them hereJoin the blogging campaign here

The clock is ticking!

   Please, watch and share this video...if possible discuss this with every young girls you know. 

New Scientific Inventions of 2010

New Scientific Inventions of 2010:

'via Blog this'

Steven Paul Jobs Dead

Steve Jobs, (Steven Paul Jobs) The Apple, Inc Chairman and Co-Founder who pioneer the personal computer industry is dead at the age of 55 last Wednesday Oct. 5, 2011.  He is described as the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford of our generation. 

Born 1955 Los Altos CA; Evangelic bad boy who, with Steve Wozniak, co-founded Apple Computer Corporation and became a multimillionaire before the age of 30. Subsequently started the NeXT Corporation to provide an educational system at a reasonable price, but found that software was a better seller than hardware.

Educ: Ungraduated, Physics, literature, and poetry, Reed College, OR; Prof. Exp: Atari Corporation; Apple Corporation; NeXT Corporation.

Going to work for Atari after leaving Reed College, Jobs renewed his friendship with Steve Wozniak. The two designed computer games for Atari and a telephone "blue box", getting much of their impetus from the Homebrew Computer Club. Beginning work in the Job's family garage they managed to make their first "killing" when the Byte Shop in Mountain View bought their first fifty fully assembled computers. On this basis the Apple Corporation was founded, the name based on Job's favorite fruit and the logo (initially used as the unregistered logo of the ACM APL Conference in San Francisco) chosen to play on both the company name and the word byte. Through the early 1980's Jobs controlled the business side of the corporation, successively hiring presidents who would take the organization to a higher level. With the layoffs of 1985 Jobs lost a power struggle with John Sculley, and after a short hiatus reappeared with new funding to create the NeXT corporation. (Source: http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Jobs.html)

Cause of death: Pancreatic Cancer

With a very low survival rate of four percent, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the U.S., as well as across the world, according to the NIH.

And 95 percent of those diagnosed with this cancer will not be alive five years later.

There are two known types of pancreatic cancer - adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor. Jobs was affected by the latter, an extremely rare form with a prevalence rate of 35 affected patients per 100,000.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

Evidence of Moses' crossing Red Sea

It is interesting to note that the modern discipline of archaeology was originally born out of an interest in recovering history--and not just any history, but, specifically, Bible history.  Dr Randall Price notes that the word archaeology first appears in English in 1607, where it was used to refer specifically to the "knowledge" of ancient Israel from literary sources such as the Bible (1997: 25).

 Thus, from the beginning, the idea of archaeology was linked to the Bible.  It was only as archaeology shifted its focus to other lands to recover their histories that a special term had to be coined for that branch of archaeology that retained as its primary focus, the Bible; thus, "Biblical Archaeology" was born.

Above, baby Moses or Senmut, Moses or Thutmoses 2 as an adult with serpent on forehead meaning Crown Prince, Caves in Saudi Arabia near modern Al Bad called "Caves of Moses" by the local villagers.  Moses was to bring the people back to this area in Saudi Arabia or Midian.

It is interesting to note that there are actually a very rich collections of evidences that link to the Bible...therefore we can not dismiss the fact what the Bible said it is. It is obviously moot-and-academic to say that Bible stories are not myth and legends but actually Historical fact.
   Yet, surprisingly many (even those who claim they are Christians) still consider part of the Bible (if not its entirety) as legend, allegorical, and even hearsay. How many of you have read the first Book of the Bible? Genesis is perhaps one of the most controversial collections of stories. We can read here the story of creation; the original sin from the Garden of Eden; The flood that wipe almost all mankind; The parting of Red sea to enable Moses and the Israelite cross to the promise land; the compounding of languages at Babel; and much more that seems to defy logic. 
   Other theologian even famous founder of religions became lost explaining the seemingly extravagant claims of the Bible especially Genesis. Often their mistakes was trying to tie-up Scriptural texts with the more popular or current  worldviews. These mistakes continued from generations to generation.

 Archaeology makes a believer

   Now only through recent discoveries and more advance research we are now seeing the (possible) reality of all Biblical stories. 

The abundance of archaeological evidence in support of the Bible can strengthen faith, and in some cases it has greatly contributed to giving birth to belief where none existed before.
  An example of physical evidence building one's faith is the life of Englishman William M. Ramsay (1851-1939). Born in the lap of luxury, Ramsay was dutifully raised as a nonbeliever by his atheist parents. He graduated from Oxford University with a doctorate in philosophy and became a professor at the University of Aberdeen.
   Determined to undermine the historical accuracy of the Bible, he studied archaeology with the aim of disproving the biblical account. Once ready with the necessary scientific tools and learning, he traveled to Palestine and focused on the book of Acts, which he fully expected to refute as nothing more than myth.
  After a quarter-century of work, Ramsay was awestruck by the accuracy of the book of Acts. In his quest to refute the Bible, Ramsay discovered many facts which confirmed its accuracy.
  He had to concede that Luke's account of the events and setting recorded in the narrative were exact even in the smallest detail. Far from attacking the biblical account, Ramsay produced a book, St. Paul, the Traveller and Roman Citizen, which supported it.
   Eventually, William Ramsay shook the intellectual world by writing that he had converted to Christianity. Ironically, this man who set out to refute the Bible, found himself accepting the Bible as God's Word because of his explorations and discoveries. (Source:http://www.biblehistory.net/Jesus_Birth.pdf )

   If you are still not convince, try discovering the same discovery William Ramsay saw...watch this video.

Why people doubt the reliability of the Bible's history is the impression that 

archaeological research as disproven biblical history (the patriarchal period, the Exodus, Jericho, etc.) This leaves the impression that some positive evidence has been found ...that has conclusively shown the Bible to be wrong on some historical point.  However, such evidence is much less available and unequivocal than people realize.  Indeed, the preeminent Israeli archaeologist Yigael Yadin is said to have made the comment that in over 50 years of archaeological research he had not seen anything that contradicted the basic historicity of the Bible...

Jesus Blood Discovered watch video>>

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Nostalgic Summary

While Typhoon Pedring continue in devastating the whole Philippine archipelago specially Luzon being hit the hardest like Bulacan, CAMANAVA, Aurora, Benguet, and even NCR (29 Provinces was said to be badly hurt even down south like Cotabato). I sink inside my make-shift studio…not to create an artwork but to re-collect my thoughts.  

          I am thankful that Laguna was not badly hit, and yet sad to watching the enormous damage Pedring left in its aftermath. Actually, up to now, some are still on the process of recuperating and still threaten by more flooding since some dam are continuously releasing water it can’t hold.

          In my silence mode, I randomly pick one of my journals. It was so appropriate because what I pulled out covers the time after the workshop and that was 1985-87.  That period was my self-searching period too. On its pages I found many trials and error, my undying hope being so inspired and still intact with advocacy. Here, I’ve realized how I put all effort to work on artistic directions instead of planning for a career as a Teacher.

          The said diary – which I called as The Fisher inscribes some painful letters, and even poetry that came naturally after an artwork or in the artwork itself. Mostly written in Filipino and in manner where environmental influence of PNC poets and friends. I owe a great deal of my worldview and paradigm from PNC-Philippine Normal College (now PNU being a University) and I think I will have a hard time erasing any of those influences which are anyways, positive.

          I also found a chapter I label as Summary of Progress at page 54 onwards…it talks about the chronicle of my artistic directions. From being purely a realist doing still-life and genre theme; having worked also on historical and biblical subjects, while indulging most of the time on portraits. Until I take a big leap into becoming a surrealist.

          There from rendering surreal attitude, I fuse my work with “tear-out” method…this technique I accidentally discover around 1986 where in I literally put manual writing on my work with collages and some sort of illusions style. These techniques that I pioneered thus become my own insignia or signature piece.

          Reading thru its pages makes me in admiration with my own skill and dedications. I mean I was so prolific then that I can produce an average of 3 paintings a day. This coincides too with some of my novel best years. I was still full of hope then and seem to be loaded with ideas that I can transform my experiences into images. That dedication was long gone. 

          There are Names and places that come and go without even saying goodbye. They changed before my very eyes… even if I tried to hold it tight; we must learn to accept the fact that life is a constant change. We meet those people along the way; only to learn from them…and then after their role was played they have to leave—to live their own lives.

          The rain had stopped…

Building Inspiration

Since yesterday I've been trying to get inspired...I did not waited but created my inspirations. I pick a color pencil  and chose this time the manuscript "Stolen Moment".....to make as an ignition work as usual. Yes, these are what I called ignition pieces or starters...so I can build up a confidence or to be exact summoning enough energy to paint a thematic work.

   The usual process start with a couple of doodles and then sketch process until images are form...but it does not always appear as I wanted too...there are times when frustrations hit me. But I always, no I mean never discard them totally since they will still provide source for future explorations...

   I feel not being able to serve the purpose of my personal existence when I'm not creating an artwork...at least a simple sketch will suffice. So after hurdling some detour that only happens on my brain I made these two item below...

   Why portrait of women? It's the easiest connection I can do at this moment...but it is not always the case, I also browse and add items on my visual diaries for boost...often simultaneously....

   I think in a few hours or day I will have new inspiration coming. A painting worth sharing.

Quiel Slams Northern Luzon

Typhoon “Quiel” (international codename: Nalgae) slammed into the northern Philippines on Saturday, packing gusts up to 195 kilometers per hour and threatening victims still trapped by previous storm floods, officials said.“Quiel” made landfall in Luzon at 9:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) and was tearing west across the Philippines’ main island with sustained winds of 160 kilometers (99.2 miles) per hour, the state weather service said.

Signal number 3 was raised in Isabela, Northern Aurora, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration said.

Areas under signal number 2 are Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bulacan and Northern Quezon including Polillo Island.

Signal number one is up in the rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Rizal, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Islang, Babuyan and Calayan Group of islands and Metro Manila

(Source: Inquirer.net)