Barack Obama Is 44th US President

The victory of Barack Obama in the polls today signals a new era in the history of US politics. While Obama could not claim to being the first black president since he has a white mother and a Kenyan father, he could however claim to be the first African American US President. More importantly, he has made a dent in breaking the racial barrier still prevailing in the United States.

Obama has indeed made history considering that at the time he was born, blacks could not even vote in some parts of America. Some tried, but died in the process.

And to quote Obama's speech to the jampacked Chicago Grand Park Tuesday night "If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where anything is possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

And now that the Democrats have made it to the White House, will this mean a recovery of the US economy and the world economy in the process?

Christmas Lights Now On Display In Davao City

Colorful and magically-lit Christmas decorations like the ones on the photo are on display along Bangkal this city. The makers of these modern Christmas decorations have displayed their wares even before All Soul's Day and they are expected to go full blast now that the Christmas season has started.

If you want to avoid the hassle of putting out all your Christmas trinkets and strategically decorating them one by one then you can opt for these ready-made Christmas lighting. They are a bit expensive though but are easy to install. Just plug them in and you're ready for Christmas!

USWAG-Bubai In SM City Davao's Xmas Decor Demo

These accessories are made of scrap paper and cigarette boxes. They are selling from P35 to P250 for matching necklace, bracelet and earrings.

USWAG-Bubai, a Toril-based women's cooperative that popularized jewelry-accessories using scrap paper, will spearhead SM City Davao's Techno Transfer Demo this November. The Christmas Decor Demo is part of this month's Recycling Market Fair at SM City.

The members of Uswag Bubai have been trained in creating useful materials including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rosaries and even Christmas decorations using recyclable waste materials. Their works of art were featured during the recent Davao Trade Expo held at the Davao Convention Center last month.

The workshop, which is a partnership between SM City Davao and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. aims to encourage enterprising Dabawenyos to come up with creative Christmas decorations out of waste materials like used papers and plastics.

Davao Councilor Shows Indifference In Outcome Of US Elections

Barack Obama or John McCain? Councilor Victorio Advincula couldn't care less. As he told reporters who interviewed him for his two-cents' worth about today's US Presidential elections, "ayoko ng mga ganyan.."

Advincula is not alone. A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations or SWS showed that three out of every four Filipinos also could not care less who wins the US Presidential elections. The SWS survey indicated that while most Filipinos are neutral as to who will win the US Presidential race, 76% however think it does not matter who wins the elections.

Obama is a 47-year old African-American senator from Illinois who was able to charm his way to the hearts of most Americans thanks to his winning oratory. McCain on the other hand is a 72-year old war hero who has been a prisoner of war for 5 and a half years and a lawmaker for 26 years.

So who are you betting for? Obama or McCain?

Braga Urge Gov't, Agencies, Private Groups To Closely Monitor Implementation of Fuel, LPG Price Rollback

Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga yesterday urged government offices and private groups to closely monitor if the concerned entities are implementing the roll back in the prices of fuel, Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG and fare.

In a resolution she passed during this morning's council session, Braga cited the Department of Trade and industry, Department of Energy, Task Force Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Land Transportation Office and the Franchising Regulatory Board as the government agencies that should spearhead the monitoring of the price rollback, She also urged other consumer groups to monitor the rollback in the prices of LPG, fuel and fare.

Braga said the prices of oil products have rolled back several times during the past weeks. However, she added, oil companies are quick to increase prices but are not that quick when it comes to reducing the prices when there is a price rollback.

The slow pace in the adjustment of taxi and public utility fares is a case in point, she said.

She said the price of LPG has been rolled back the past week but LPG prices in the city practically remain the same.

How much do you earn now? For sure, what you are earning as a living and breathing ordinary employee, even as a manager in one of Davao City's establishments is peanuts compared to what the "famous deads" are earning.

Proof? According to Forbes Magazine there is a $105 million combined net income for 2007 alone among Elvis Presley, Charles Shultz (creator of Snoopy cartoon strip) and Heath Ledger (Joker in the last Batman movie)---all of whom are dead.

Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 but 30 years after his death he (his estate) was still able to amass $52 million in 2007. This is much bigger compared to the 2007 incomes of living stars like Madonna (with $40 million) or even Justin Timberlake (with $44 million). This is way, way bigger than the income of an ordinary Dabawenyos for that matter.

This was the second time that Elvis topped the list of top celebrity income earners both dead and alive. In 2006 Elvis had an income of $49 million. His high net income in 2007 was attributed to the extravaganza held at his home in Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee to celebrate his 30th death anniversary.

On the other hand, "Peanuts" creator Charles Shultz died at the age of 77 in the year 2000 but he was still able to amass $33 million in posthumous earnings thanks to a recent agreement inked between his heirs and the Warner Bros. Studios.

Ledger became even more famous posthumously when the previous Batman movie was shown thanks to a remarkable portrayal of Joker . He died in 2008 at the age of 28 but was able to amass $20 million posthumously.

On top 4 of the list of high income earners is Albert Einstein, who died in 1955 but left a legacy---not merely the theory of relativity---but the "Baby Einstein" concept which was developed into a full line of DVDs and toys for children. Thanks to Baby Einstein, Albert was able to amass $18 million posthumously.

Top 5 on the list is Dr. Seuss or Theodor Geisel, the man behind the movie "Horton Hears A Who" as well as several other childrens' books. Dr. Seuss amassed $12 million posthumously followed by John Lennon of Beatles fame with $9 million.

Petron, Shell Cuts LPG Prices By P4 Per Kilo

Shell and Petron has reduced the price of their Liquefied Petroleum gas products by P4 per kilo which brings the price of LPG in Davao City from P670 to P626 per tank. The price of LPG is expected to further go down as world prices continue to plunge.

LPG prices in the world market has gone down from $804 in October to only $450 per metric tons this month.

The government and the public are however not content with the P4 reduction per kilo and has demanded a P15 per kilo reduction in the price of LPG. The Liquefied Petroleum Gas marketers' Association however said they will continue to reduce LPG prices until it reaches the ideal P15 per kilo reduction.