#Davao Falls

[jazperjay]

Kwagsik Falls

Our Buda tour reached its climax when we ventured to the enchanting Kwagsik Falls. Kuya Diego, our knowledgeable guide, assured us that this journey wouldn’t be for the faint of heart but promised it would be an experience worth cherishing. As we made our way, Kuya Diego regaled us with tales of previous visitors who had embarked on this exhilarating quest, only to find themselves breathless and…

[cbholganza]

Mesmerizing Maragusan

Maragusan Valley is indeed a place of unparalleled beauty and charm. With its enchanting waterfalls, rejuvenating hot springs, captivating landscape, plus - most importantly - the indomitable spirit of a resilient people.

Maragusan Valley, tucked away in the hinterlands of Davao de Oro (formerly known as Compostela Valley province in Eastern Mindanao), is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. This is one adventure for travelers seeking a unique, off-the-beaten-path destination. On the invitation of the province’s Tourism chief, the bubbly Ms Christine Dompor, my wife and I brought the family to this great hidden…

[southeastasianists]

The ex-president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, could soon become the first Asian former head of state to be tried at The Hague.

The populist politician was arrested on Mar. 11, 2025, after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant relating to his “war on drugs.”

Some 6,000-plus people were killed during the crackdown. But despite the controversy surrounding his policies and the end of his presidency in 2022, Duterte remains an influential figure.

The Conversation U.S. turned to Lisandro Claudio, an expert on Philippine politics and history at the University of California, Berkeley, to explain how the arrest could impact domestic politics and whether this could mean the end of Duterte’s sway.

What do we know about the arrest and charges?

The arrest warrant issued by the ICC states that Duterte is charged with crimes against humanity relating to events that happened between Nov. 1, 2011, to Mar. 16, 2019. This is important as it covers a period not just when Duterte was president but also when he was mayor of Davao City – the richest city in the island of Mindanao.

Duterte went on to serve as president from 2016 to 2022, but he pulled the country out of the Rome Statute, the treaty that set up the ICC, in 2019. Nonetheless, the ICC says the alleged crimes fall within their jurisdiction as they were carried out before the Philippines ended its relationship with the ICC.

Duterte is alleged to have overseen the systemic use of murder, torture and rape against civilians.

He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city. But importantly, the prosecution is also of Duterte’s nationalization of the strategy of death squads. On coming to power, he incorporated the “war on drugs” into the policy of the national police.

Based on the way the ICC warrant was written and reporting in the Philippines, it appears that former members of the Davao Death Squad and police officers may be testifying for the prosecution, including, it is thought, hit man-turned-whistleblower Edgar Matobato and ex-Davao City police officer Arturo Lascañas.

What role did the government play in the arrest?

Duterte’s arrest and rendition, for want of a better word, to the Netherlands appears to have taken place with the cooperation of the Philippine government.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the man who succeeded Duterte, held a press conference following the arrest in which he explained that despite no longer being part of the Rome Treaty, the Philippines is committed to supporting the International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol. And it was Interpol that asked Manila to enforce the warrant after receiving it from the ICC.

The indication from Marcos was that the Philippine government had no choice but to comply with Interpol for two reasons. First, it is the expected behavior of a democratic nation to comply with international norms, and second, Interpol has helped the Philippines arrest fugitives in the past – including former mayor and suspected Chinese spy Alice Guo.

In short, Marcos is saying it is in the national interest to comply with the ICC arrest warrant.

Is it in President Marcos’ political interests, too?

The Philippines can’t dictate to the ICC when to issue a warrant, or to whom.

And it appears ICC prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrant on Feb. 10, so the timing wasn’t determined by Marcos.

But that isn’t to say that it isn’t fortunate timing.

There is an important midterm election in May, and Marcos is keen to use it to consolidate his power amid an ongoing feud with Vice President Sara Duterte – the daughter of the now-arrested former president.

In 2022, Sara Duterte and Marcos ran on the same ticket for vice president and president. But this coalition between two family dynasties – Bongbong Marcos is the son of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and still powerful matriach of the family, Imelda – broke down rather quickly.

Fighting between Sara Duterte and Martin Romualdez, the speaker of the House of Representatives and a cousin of President Marcos, strained the relationship.

But beyond the personality issues, there has been a divergence in policy between the Dutertes and Marcoses. Notably, under Marcos Jr., the Philippines has pivoted back to the U.S. by allowing American troops back into the country and taking a more aggressive stance in regards to China in the South China Sea.

This approach has been challenged by the Duterte family, which has been closer to China. In the first year of the Marcos administration, Rodrigo Duterte served as a sort of envoy to Beijing, although it became increasingly clear that this was more of an independent relationship between the former president and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

So could this be the end of Duterte’s influence?

That is certainly what President Marcos may be banking on.

The ICC prosecution of the father paired with a forthcoming impeachment of the daughter will neuter the Duterte clan’s power.

The reason this is so important for Marcos is that Sara Duterte has made it clear she wants to be the next president, and given the ill feeling between the two, there is a widespread assumption that if in power she will go after various members of the Marcos family.

With Duterte busy defending his case in The Hague, he will be unable to focus his efforts on helping his senator choices get elected in the midterms. It will also, presumably, end his bid to return as mayor of Davao City – a position that would give him a powerful bully pulpit.

No one should underestimate the charisma of Rodrigo Duterte; he is like a Donald Trump figure in that way. Many critics don’t fully understand the power of his charisma, his humor and the warmth that he displays to supporters – but it propelled him to high levels of popularity while in power.

And the public doesn’t see that charisma in his three children, including current Vice President Sara Duterte. Part of this is due to sexism – there is a lot of sexism in Filipino politics, so people are more likely to support a brash-talking man like Rodrigo Duterte, compared with his daughter. And Sara Duterte has problems of her own – notably the impeachment charges relating to alleged corruption while she was secretary of education.

Could this lead to a more polarized politics?

Your guess is as good as mine here. In the short run, the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte is clearly very good for President Marcos. And the small scale of the pro-Duterte protests suggest no great uprising against the arrest.

But what happens next – and how it is reported – is crucial. Filipinos love a political martyr. We saw this when former President Joseph Estrada was arrested and prosecuted over stealing public money in 2001 – his mughshot was adopted by supporters around the country. The same could happen to Duterte – it could go both ways.

[shinmiyovvi]

「Call of Duty Modern Warfare Original Character Info」

GENERAL INFORMATION

NAME: Noemi Rayne G. Trinidad

CODE NAME: “Soro” (Fox in Filipino)

AGE: 31

GENDER: Female

SEXUALITY: Heterosexual

D.O.B.: [REDACTED]

P.O.B.: Davao City, Philippines

NATIONALITY: Filipino

ALIA(SES): 

Bravo 0-9, Ghost 0-5

Noemi, Emi, Rayne, Ren (By her family, relatives, and friends)

Ma’am, Captain (By Gaz)

Capt, Capt. Soro (By Soap)

Sea girl, Nomi, Show off (By Ghost)

Soro, Love, Ray (By Price)

Zorro, hermana (By Alejandro)

Kapitan Trinidad (By Rudy)

OCCUPATION: Military personnel from the AFP Light Reaction Regiment, an associate member of Task Force 141.

RANK: 2nd Lieutenant (2012-2015), Captain (2015-present)

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Cebuano and Filipino as her mother tongue, English as her third language as she is a polyglot but limited.

AFFILIATIONS: Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Scout Rangers, Light Reaction Regiment, Task Force 141, Coalition, Armistice, JTF - Ghost Team, SpecGru

APPEARANCE

HEIGHT: 5’9” (175 cm)

WEIGHT: 141 lbs (64 kg)

EYE COLOR: Dark brown

HAIR COLOR: Black

HAIR STYLE: Shoulder-length (2019), Overgrown Boy Cut (2022)

BODY TYPE: Hourglass

BUILD: Lean and muscular

BLOOD TYPE: A+

DISTINGUISHABLE FEATURES: Has a scar on her right cheek and the lower left part of her neck. She also has scars on both of her arms, which she mostly wears long sleeves.

FACE CLAIM: Jane de Leon (Images below)

FAMILY

SIBLINGS: 1

STATUS: Youngest daughter of the Gerardo-Trinidad Family

FATHER: Ramon O. Trinidad

AGE: 60

HEIGHT: 5'6" (167 cm)

OCCUPATION: Retired AFP Soldier as he works as a carpenter for their shop.

MOTHER: Paulina G. Trinidad

AGE: 57

HEIGHT: 5'4" (162 cm)

OCCUPATION: Housewife

BROTHER: Leonardo Eric G. Trinidad

AGE: 34

HEIGHT: 5'11" (180 cm)

OCCUPATION: Architect

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

FIGHTING STYLE: Any but most likely uses Muay Thai and Arnis (If she found a pair of sticks)

WEAPON OF CHOICE: Any as she uses a throwing knife to take down enemies silently.

ABILITIES: Can be a translator and a recon sniper due to her experience back in 2016.

SPECIALTIES: Stealth, Espionage, and Hacking to infiltrate unauthorized areas.

PERSONALITY

POSITIVE:

Intelligent: Noemi is one of the smartest students in the class who mostly competes in quiz bees as she receives a lot of rewards from her competitions and also excels in her class.

Boyish: She spends time with her brother and her male friends and she has different interests and traits, unlike other girls around her subdivision.

Good tactician and thinks logically: After becoming the lieutenant, she uses her wits and observation around her as she will find an advantage for her and her squadmates of when to attack or when to fall back. With her being the mentee of the former captain, she took note of how her lieutenant led them to victory.

A loving friend and daughter: Despite her stern, relaxed, and laid-back personality, she is nothing more than a friend you can always rely on. She is a loving and caring daughter to her family in which she tends to overwork herself just to get the right amount of money to provide her parents for their needs. 

Dutiful with her occupation: Noemi is very dedicated to her job as a soldier in her country even if what she entered is a life-and-death situation. She mostly escapes her near-death experiences during the siege after their deployment in 2017. Noemi has no hesitation in killing her targets, as long as she knows what their wrongdoings are, she won't think twice to kill them in an instant.

Can crack jokes: If she ever feels like lighting up the mood, Noemi won't hesitate to brighten up the spirit of her fellow soldiers with some jokes.

NEGATIVE:

Has trust issues: Noemi tends to have trust issues and is also cautious when choosing the right people to trust.

Weighing some guilt inside her: After losing some of her friends during her career, she couldn't help but distinguish self-guilt from what happened to them.

Getting out of control of her emotions, especially anger: Noemi tends to bottle up her emotions, which she would snap at any time, and manages to go feral.

An expert in manipulation and deception: Noemi is capable of manipulating and deceiving people in order to acquire intel. She may act natural but deep down she was using them for extracting information.

TRIVIA

Noemi is the lead guitarist for the school's band which joins the battle of the bands.

Her favorite activities in school are Intramurals, quiz bees, band performances, and sports fest.

She likes to play video games during her free time during her off duty and sometimes she would draw on her journal to pass the time.

Noemi never shares her music taste with anyone but she listens to Jpop, Kpop, OPM, Pop, Pop Rock, Punk Rock, Rap, and Alternative Rock.

Noemi was known for being the smartest student who tends to sleep during class and answers questions without even trying to be attentive during the discussion sometimes.

BACKGROUND

Noemi is the youngest of the Gerardo-Trinidad family and was born to have an inspiration to be a soldier because of her father's past. Although her parents wanted her to be a nurse, she declined and was eager to pursue her dream of being a soldier and fighting for her country. Noemi is a talented and intelligent child who tends to join quiz bees as she is also an athlete at her alma mater. She is the captain, and outside hitter of her volleyball team, and the small forward of the basketball team. She also joins badminton and sepak takraw competitions, and everyone looks up to her as one of the athletic students in her school. After graduating high school, she passed the PMA exam and strived hard to finish her military training. Noemi joined the AFP and then proceeded to join the Scout Rangers to get the Scout Rangers Qualification Badge in order for her to join the Light Reaction Regiment. Before she joined LRR, she embarked on missions that molded her as a soldier and took down notes about becoming a leader from her captain. She lost her comrades during the Siege of Marawi she looks at them as her brothers-in-arms and a family. In 2019, Noemi became an associate member before the formation of Task Force 141 after Laswell introduced her to Price and Gaz as she continued to work in TF141.

Images for the gif above (From left to right):

MW1 (Left), MW2 (Center), MW3 (Right)

[hath-e]

So after reading through about halfway of Vol. 2 of Hathaway's Flash I have to say this, I only agree with him more.

Those who don't want spoilers have the official original cover art for all 3 volumes by Mikimoto Haruhiko.

Those who don't mind spoilers click below cut

So why did Tomino write the feddies as the worst thing to ever exist?

It's like the text in novel 1 directly states that for a time Hathaway was obsessed with Char and wanted to learn EVERYTHING there was to him. And yet due to the fact that the Man-Hunters and Feddies are written as completely fucking deplorable that criticism falls on deaf ears.

So the Man-Hunters in Davao directly do a occupation of a few blocks, have snipers set up and actively threaten anyone with a beating or death. When they shut down a group of gourillas they would rather jump to their deaths than get captured, which might I add is described very brutally for the few words it uses. Mihessia is under threat of just being sent into a far off colony with no chance of getting out (and presumably do slave labour for the federation) just because she's been caught a second time without a permit.

Going back to Davao, they just actually do a occupation of the blocks, they pack people into trucks without checking for anything, I don't know to me it directly feels like a reference to the Nazi occupation but I might be reading too deep into it.

So now onto what happens in vol. 2

The Kimberly unit treatment of Oenbelli as described is sickening, I genuinely don't think they will be allowed to animate any of it. From the ruined and destroyed buildings, the corpse piles, the tortured bodies, and guy who's charred body was hanged inside the building that Kimberly and his officers were escaping. The woman who's described to be in such a state that she will actually kill herself if let to proper strength. All this destruction and torture over an unconfirmed report that a group calling themselves "Mafty's 1st Army" is stationed there.

I don't know how this can be of any debate. The federation is objectively evil, and so what if Mafty kills some civvies in a cross fire, the federation does this too, and it's even in the movie and in the book the amount of explosives sent after Gawman resulted in more destruction than the attacks executed by the Messers.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 12.31

Holidays

Banished Words List Day

Bright Idea Day

Check the Smoke Alarms Day

Cowbellion de Rakin Revel (Alabama)

Customs Officers’ Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Falls Festival Starts (Byron Bay; Australia)

Genf Restoration (Restoration of the Republic Geneva; Switzerland)

Granite Day (French Republic)

International Solidarity Day (Azerbaijan)

Leap Second Time Adjustment Day

Lightbulb Day

Make Up Your Mind Day

Namahage (Japan)

National Andrea Day

National Heroes Day (East Timor)

Oga no Namahage (Oga City, Japan)

The Old Life Festival (Elder Scrolls)

One Voice Day

Pal-O-Ween (from “Kevin Can F**k Himself”) [Every 31st]

Procrastinator's Day

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Silvesterklause (Switzerland)

Solidarity Day of the World (Azerbaijan)

Universal Hour of Peace (UN) [11:30 pm]

World Healing Day

World Peace Meditation Day

You’re All Done Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Champagne Day

National Vinegar Day

Welch’s Grape Day

Independence & Related Days

Ikerlàndia (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Penn Federal Republic (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Restoration of the Republic Day (Geneva, Switzerland)

Slinky Empire (Declared; 2008) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

January 0

New Year's Eve (a.k.a. ... 

Afternoon Before New Year’s Day (Estonia)

Amateur Drinking Night

Amband

Auld Year's Night (Scotland)

Baal Fire Festival (England)

Baharu (a.k.a. Baru; Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore)

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon (Philippines)

Brew Year's Eve

Calennig (Wales)

Ditch the Resolutions Day

Feast of Father Time

Festival of the Dead (Positivist)

Festival of Yemya (Yoruba/Santeria)

Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration (Anchorage, Alaska)

First Footing

First Night

Fravartigan (Parsi Zoroastrian)

Freedom’s Eve

Gamlarskvold (Iceland)

Harvest Day (Benin)

Hogmanay (Scotland)

Joya no Kane (Japan)

Kanun Novogo Goda (Russia)

Karma (African Americans, African Diaspora)

Losar (Ladakh, India) >li>Loosing (a.k.a. Nansoong; Sikkim, India)

Malam Tahun

Namahge (Demon Festival; Japan)

Noche de Pedimento (Wishing Night; Mexico)

Noche Vieja (Mexico)

Nochevieja or Fin de Año (Spain)

No Resolution Day

Novy God Eve (Russia)

Oíche Chinn Bliana (a.k.a. Oíche na Coda Móire or Oíche Chaille; Ireland)

Okera Matsuri (Sacred fire Rite; Kyoto, Japan)

Old Year’s Night (England)

Ōmisoka (Prepare and Welcome New Year’s God Toshigami; Japan)

Oud en Nieuw or Oudejaarsavond (Netherlands)

Pele ga Ngwaga o Mosha (Botswana)

Ritual for Iemanja (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Samoan Fire Dance (Samoa)

Silvester

Sint Sylvester Vooravond (a.k.a. Oudjaar; Belgium)

Stonehenge Fireball Festival (UK)

Swinging the Fireballs (Stonehaven, Scotland)

Szilveszter (Hungary)

Tar Barrel Burning (Allendale, England)

The Night of Big Portion (Ireland)

Vigilia di Capodanno (a.k.a. Notte di San Silvestro; Italy)

Watch Night (Christian)

World Peace Meditation Day

Yang Yi (Uzbekistan)

5th & Last Tuesday in December

No Interruptions Day [Last Workday of the Year]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Target Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Tater Tot Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Teriyaki Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Transformation Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Trivia Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Two For Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning December 31 (Last Week of the Year)

None Known

Festivals Beginning December 31, 2024

AdAmAn Club Pikes Peak Fireworks (Pikes Peak, Colorado)

Burlington New Year's Eve Celebration (Burlington, Vermont)

CelebrateSA: NYE Countdown (San Antonio, Texas)

CherryT Ball Drop (Traverse City, Michigan)

Davao City Torotot Festival (Davao City, Philippines) [thru 1.1]

The Drop in Motor City (Detroit, Michigan)

Dropping of the Conch Shell (Key West, Florida)

Dropping of the Edelweiss & New Year's Eve Event (Helen, Georgia)

Eastport Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop (Eastport, Maine)

First Night Boston (Boston, Massachusetts)

First Night Hartford (Hartford, Connecticut)

First Night Ocean City (Ocean City, New Jersey)

First Night Portsmouth (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

First Night Talbot Crab Drop (Easton, Maryland)

Flora-Bama New Year's Eve Bash (Orange Beach, Alabama)

Freedom Time (Perth, Western Australia)

Fresh Start (San Francisco, California) [thru 1.1]

The Great Pinecone Drop (Flagstaff, Arizona)

Idaho Potato Drop (Boise, Idaho)

Krumpe's Donut Drop (Hagerstown, Maryland)

Las Cruces Chile Drop (Las Cruces, New Mexico)

Last Night on the Town (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Little Apple New Year's Eve (Manhattan, Kansas)

Midnight New Year’s Eve Countdown (Waikiki, Hawaii)

Minneapolis New Year's Eve (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Missoula On Main and Beyond (Missoula, Montana)

Mobile New Year's MoonPie Drop (Mobile, Alabama)

New Year's Eve Anchor Drop (Pascagoula, Mississippi)

New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)

New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop (Panama City Beach, Florida)

New Years' Eve Celebration (Simi Valley, California)

New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks (Anchorage, Alaska)

New Year's Celebration at Half-Mile Farm (Highlands, North Carolina)

New Year’s Eve Duck Drop & Fireworks (Havre de Grace, Maryland)

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular (Omaha, Nebraska)

New Year's Eve Hershey Kiss Drop (Hershey, Pennsylvania)

New Year's Eve in Denver (Denver, Colorado)

New Year's Eve in Jackson Square (New Orleans, Louisiana)

New Year's Eve in New Brunswick (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

New Year's Eve Grape Drop (Temecula, California)

New Year's Eve Midnight Muskrat Dive (Princess Anne, Maryland)

New Year's Eve Orange Drop (Orlando, Florida)

New Year's Eve Pickle Drop (Mt. Olive, North Carolina)

New Year's Eve Shamrock Drop (Dublin, Georgia)

New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop (Fernandina Beach, Florida)

New Year's Fest (Kalamazoo, Michigan)

NYE Live! St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri)

Price Tower Olive Drop (Bartlesville, Oklahoma)

Rockport New Year’s Eve (Rockport, Massachusetts)

Sarasota New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop (Sarasota, Florida)

Sartori Big Cheese Drop (Plymouth, Wisconsin)

Savannah's Waterfront New Year's Eve (Savannah, Georgia)

Shad Drop (Grifton, North Carolina)

Tallapossa Possum Drop (Tallapoosa, Georgia)

Times Square New Year's Eve (New York, New York)

Walleye Madness at Midnight (Port Clinton, Ohio)

Westport New Year's Eve Fireworks Show (Westport, Washington)

Feast Days

Apodosis of Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Archangel Gabriel (Coptic Church)

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Artology)

Columba (Christian; Saint)

Connie Willis (Writerism)

Fairy Eve’s Year’s News (Shamanism)

Feast of Sharaf (Honor; Baha’i)

Feast of the Holy Family (Christian)

Festival of the Dead (Complimentary Day; Positivist)

First Foot Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Giovanni Boldini (Artology)

Henri Matisse (Artology)

Het Pint (Celtic Book of Days)

Hogmanay (Pagan; Scotland)

Hogmanay / Hug Many Day (Pastafarian)

Isabel & The Shark (Muppetism)

Julie Doucet (Artology)

Junot Díaz (Writerism)

Kwanzaa, Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity)

Look Good Until You Die Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Lucifer Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Max Pechstein (Artology)

Melania the Younger (Christian; Saint)

ND Stevenson (Artology)

Nicholas Sparks (Writerism)

Seventh Day of Christmas

Siné (Artology)

Steve Rude(Artology)

Sylvester I, Pope (Catholic Church)

Tess Jaray (Artology)

Twelve Holy Days #6 (Virgo, the intestinal tract; Esoteric Christianity)

Twelvetide, Day #7; Silvester (a.k.a. the Twelve Days of Christmas or Christmastide) [until 1.5]

Zoticus of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Hanukkah, Day #7 (a.k.a. Chanukah; Judaism) [thru Jan. 2nd] (Light 7 Candles at Dusk) [30 Kislev-1 Tevet]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day of Sekhmet (Egyptian Warrior Goddess)

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unlucky Day (Worldwide)

Premieres

The Bear That Wasn’t (MGM Cartoon; 1967)

The Birds and Other Stories, by Daphne du Maurier (Short Stories; 1952)

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (Film; 1969)

Cool For Cats (BBC Musical Variety TV Show; 1956)

Destination Tokyo (Film; 1943)

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (TV Special; 1972)

Divorce Court (TV Series; 1957)

The Dot and the Line (MGM Cartoon; 1965)

Duel in the Sun (Film; 1946)

The Dunderheads or Feeling Zero (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 243; 1963)

Forrest Gump, by Winston Groom (Novel; 1986)

The Fraudulent Volcano (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #16; 1964)

The Knight and Knave of Swords, by Fritz Leiber (Short Stories; 1988) [Fafhrd and Gray Mouser #7]

Love To Love You Baby, by Donna Summer (Song; 1975)

The Marry-G-Round (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1943)

The Mice Will Play (WB MM Cartoon; 1938)

A Most Violent Year (Film; 2014)

New Years’ Rockin’ Eve (New Year’s Eve TV Special; 1972)

One Froggy Evening (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

The Paradine Case (Film; 1947)

Perfume, by Patrick Süskind (Novel; 1985)

Pirates of Penzance, by Gilbert & Sullivan (Comic Opera; 1879)

Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates (Novel; 1961)

Symphony in Spinach (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1948)

Three to Go or Crash on Delivery (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 244; 1963)

Two Doors Down (Scottish TV Series; 2013)

Today’s Name Days

Melanie, Silvester (Austria)

Donata, Silvestar, Silvija (Croatia)

Silvestr (Czech Republic)

Sylvester (Denmark)

Silvar, Silver, Silvester, Silvo (Estonia)

Silvo, Sylvester (Finland)

Colombe, Sylvestre (France)

Melanie, Silvester (Germany)

Melany (Greece)

Szilveszter (Hungary)

Paolina, Silvestro (Italy)

Kalvis, Silvestrs (Latvia)

Gedgantas, Melanija, Mingailė, Silvestras (Lithuania)

Sylfest, Sylvi, Sylvia (Norway)

Korneliusz, Mariusz, Melania, Sebastian, Sylwester, Tworzysław (Poland)

Melania (Romania)

Silvester (Slovakia)

Melania, Silvestre (Spain)

Sylvester (Sweden)

Melania (Ukraine)

Malone, Melania, Melanie, Melany, Silas, Silvester, Sylvester (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 366 of 2024; 0 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of Week 1 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Ding-Chou), Day 1 (Ji-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 30 Kislev 5785

Islamic: 29 Jumada II 1446

J Cal: 6 Fest; Leapday [6 of 6]

Julian: 18 December 2024

Moon: 1%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: Festival of Holy Women (Complementary Day)

Runic Half Month: Eihwaz or Eoh (Yew Tree) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 11 of 90)

Week: Last Week of December

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 10 of 30)

Calendar Changes

冰月 [Bīngyuè] (Chinese Lunisolar Calendar) [Month 12 of 12] (Ice Month) [Ox Month]

Festival of Holy Women [Complimentary Extra Day, Leap Years Only; Month 0 of 13; Positivist]

[kethwithlove]

The Weeping Sky

The rain falls in relentless sheets today, a heavy curtain of gray that drapes over the city, as if the sky itself has lost the will to hold back its tears. It’s March 17, 2025, and this was meant to be a day of joy, Araw ng Davao, a holiday proclaimed to honor our city’s spirit, its resilience, its heartbeat. But the streets, usually alive with the hum of celebration, are muted, swallowed by…

[pebijeya]

This is my unico hijo CHOKI, he’s a mixed breed of shitzu and poodle he is now 3 years old, I still remember the time I first saw him at my tito’s house and literally begged him to bring choki to davao. I cried for like straight 30 minutes when he said that he will not allow me to bring choki home. I wanted to have him because my pixie is alone and badly needs company. He was shipped to davao after my tito passed his licensure examination and gave him as a gift since I also graduated with honor in SHS.

He’s very sweet and playful, he also loves going out to the point all the neighbors know him as CHOKI and they’ll just let him roam around because he knows to go home by himself. He already visited all the malls in davao and I even brought him to Mini Asik-asik falls with me. One thing I love about him is he doesnt bark when we’re outside. He barks as if he’s talking to me when he wants something like if he’s thirsty, hungry or wants belly rubs.

[sarylljames6969]

Samal Island is a peaceful and beautiful place just a short boat ride from Davao City. The trip starts with excitement as you leave the busy city and head toward the calm island. Once you arrive, you’ll find white-sand beaches, clear blue waters, and friendly locals ready to welcome you.

The island offers something for everyone. You can relax on the beaches like Pearl Farm and Kaputian, swim in the cool waters of Hagimit Falls, or climb Mount Puting Bato for amazing views. If you love nature, visit the Monfort Bat Sanctuary, which is home to millions of bats. You can also enjoy tasty seafood and sweet fruits while exploring colorful markets.

As the sun sets, the island becomes even more magical. The sky fills with orange and pink colors, and the sound of the waves adds to the peaceful vibe. Sitting by the beach, you’ll feel calm and happy. Samal Island is not just a place to visit; it’s a special experience that stays with you. Whether you want adventure or rest, this island is the perfect getaway.

[alwaysyoursjenn]

Dear 2028 Jennifer,

Hi! This is 2025 Jennifer! How are you now?

Today, it's February 16, 2025. Valentines was 2 days ago. Honestly, I felt a bit sad. I wanna go out with the love of my life like some of my friends and family but hey, I'm still single. I only remain friends with the guy Kate introduced me to. Had to drop him off because I can't see a future with him. Anyway!

For Valentines, I wanted to have a dinner outside with my parents but none of it happened. On a brighter side, it is a blessing how I get to spend dinner with them on Valentines! Although I didn't receive a rose from papa this year since I spent the night in Davao. I also got frustrated to the point of being teary-eyed on valentines because of our RC, and to make matters worse, papa accidentally ran over the puppy I'm supposed to give to Leng. It shattered my heart just thinking about the puppy whose name given was Cooper. His life barely started. I'm so sorry, Cooper 😭 I don't even want to think about it. Please run to us in the afterlife.

What other things are currently happening to me this phase in life? Hmmm. I have a couple things to list: I had my period 2 weeks early, and is still on-going for 2 weeks now! Insane. The last time this happened was 2023. Maybe I am indeed stress? Erm...

Also! My crush on Bangchan grew rapidly fast. I've been crushing on him since 2019, but it was a surface level crush. Now, I got into Stray Kids after 6 years! Isn't that funny? I used to be a casual fan, but now I can say that I am now a part of the fandom. I can consider myself as a STAY. What's cooler is the fact that SKZ anniversary falls on my birthday! March 25! How amazing is that? I guess I really am meant to stan them hehe~

This one is on a depressing note, I reenroll our res1 because again, our Research Coordinator and his term of agreement that he made us sign—as we were left with no choice but to oblige, apparently is where our future lies. It literally dictates our future. He made a lot of students cried. He thrives on our tears, one day I know for sure that karma's gonna get him lol I am just so pissed, still an understatement if we're being honest.

Silly note to add, my ex recently viewed my profile and ironically my reposts are about falling in-love postings and I reposted initials that clearly doesn't mean anything, but he gets to read that, which is oddly satisfying because I want him to incessantly think I still have a boyfriend and get hurt over that thought and make him regret for eternity over the decisions he made. His reposts still has a hint of longing for a past relationship so that serves him right. Haha.

Lastly, I want to lose fats. It's quite noticeable that I have been gaining weight. My stomach isn't flat now, and everytime I see a picture or video of myself from 2023 it made me realize how flat my stomach was!!! So I will be having a calorie deficit diet and start jogging by tomorrow Monday! I wanna do the 30-day challenge and see for myself how much I've lost weight/fat. I recently ordered a weighing scale as well to keep track of my weight loss journey.

I want to be physically fit for my 26th birthday!

Oh and, 2028 Jennifer, I hope you are still alive and healthy! We have bargained with God to not take our life yet not until we have grandkids! 👀

Do you have a partner now? How's your job so far? How many countries have you visited? 2025 Jennifer will do everything in her power to get the life you deserve in the near future! I love you!

Hope you have a peace of mind 🤍

[flavjourneys]

Region 11: The Southern Jewel of the Philippines

Deep in the southernmost reaches of the Philippines lies Region 11, or the Davao Region—a land of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unparalleled opportunities. Composed of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and the independent city of Davao, this region is a thriving hub of natural wonders and modern development. Though far from the capital, its beauty and potential make it one of the Philippines' most compelling destinations.

The Crown Jewel: Davao City

At the heart of Region 11 is Davao City, a bustling metropolis that combines urban sophistication with the tranquility of nature. Known as the "Durian Capital of the Philippines," the city is famous for its iconic fruit, but there's so much more to discover. It is home to Mount Apo, the Philippines' tallest peak, a must-visit for mountaineers and nature enthusiasts.

Davao City is also one of the safest cities in the country, with its clean streets, efficient transportation, and a local government that prioritizes sustainability. It’s a melting pot of cultures, offering visitors a chance to experience traditional Mindanaoan hospitality alongside modern comforts.

Nature’s Playground

Region 11 is a paradise for nature lovers. Davao Oriental boasts stunning coastlines, including Dahican Beach, a surfer’s haven with powdery sands and turquoise waters. Cape San Agustin, with its historic lighthouse and rugged cliffs, offers breathtaking views of the Davao Gulf.

Davao del Norte, meanwhile, is home to Samal Island, an idyllic escape just a ferry ride from Davao City. With its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life, it’s no surprise that Samal is a favorite among both local and international tourists.

For those seeking adventure, Davao de Oro has the enchanting Aliwagwag Falls, a cascading masterpiece of nature, while the forests of Davao del Sur hide countless trails and rivers waiting to be explored.

Culture and Heritage

Region 11 is a cultural treasure chest. The region celebrates its diversity through festivals like the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, a grand thanksgiving for nature’s bountiful harvest. Here, you’ll see colorful street dances, vibrant costumes, and showcases of indigenous traditions.

The region is also home to several indigenous communities, including the Bagobo, Mandaya, and Mansaka peoples, who preserve their heritage through intricate crafts, dances, and rituals. Visitors can witness their artistry in traditional weaving and beadwork, or listen to stories passed down through generations.

The Land of Durian and More

No trip to Region 11 would be complete without indulging in its culinary offerings. Durian, with its strong aroma and creamy taste, is an acquired taste that many visitors end up loving. For the less adventurous, the region offers a bounty of fruits like mangosteen, pomelo, and marang.

Seafood is also abundant, from fresh tuna to delectable crabs and prawns. And for a sweet treat, try Davao’s world-renowned chocolates, made from cacao beans grown in the region’s fertile soil.

A Region on the Rise

Region 11 is not just a land of beauty—it’s a land of promise. The region is a key driver of Mindanao’s economy, with thriving industries like agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Investments in infrastructure and eco-tourism continue to pour in, making it a beacon of progress.

Yet even as it grows, the Davao Region remains committed to sustainability. Local communities work hand-in-hand with the government to protect its natural resources, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its wonders.

The Final Frontier of the Philippines

Region 11 may be geographically at the southernmost part of the Philippines, but it is by no means the end. Instead, it’s a gateway—to adventure, to culture, to a way of life that’s uniquely its own.

Whether you’re hiking up Mount Apo, diving into the pristine waters of Samal, or simply enjoying the warmth of its people, the Davao Region is a place where every journey feels like a new beginning.

[southeastasianists]

The Philippines is known as a country that supports political dynasties, and powerful clans have played a major role in the country’s politics for decades. But in the last week of June, Vice President Sara Duterte made an announcement that rocked the nation as her family appears to be gearing up to take political dynasties to the next level. On June 28, the vice president confirmed that her father, Former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brothers, Davao First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, will all run for senator in the 2025 elections. 

Social media is all abuzz with news of this development, with those supporting the Duterte camp ecstatic at the possibility of having all three Dutertes in the Senate. However, those who are staunchly against this have been equally loud on Twitter and Facebook, calling the country’s political system a joke. As one of the most influential political families in the country have benefited from the results of a well-executed social media strategy in the last presidential elections, Filipinos can expect that the Internet will once again turn into an all-out war zone in the coming months. But can social media bring about the downfall of political dynasties, or will it take them to new heights? Here’s what you need to know about the influence of social media on political dynasties in the Philippines. 

Social Media Brought the Marcoses Back to Power

For two decades, Filipinos had to submit to the rules of Ferdinand Marcos’ regime as the former president enforced Martial Law. Historians attest that his dictatorship resulted in over 3,000 extrajudicial killings and more than 30,000 tortures, apart from other human rights violations. The Marcoses also infamously stole $5 to $10 billion from the Central Bank of the Philippines as stated in the documents provided by the Presidential Commission on Good Government. 

After the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., Marcos was blamed for his death. The family immediately fell from grace as Aquino’s supporters joined hands to support his widow, Corazon Aquino, during the People Power Revolution of 1986. Mrs. Aquino became the new President of the Philippines, while the Marcoses were exiled in Hawaii. In 1989, the matriarch, Imelda, as well as Marcos’ children were allowed to return to the country, and from there, they started planning their political comeback. Their return to politics started with Imelda winning a congressional seat in 1995, while her children, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Imee Marcos, won positions in local government. 

After Bongbong was elected as a senator in the 2010 elections, it was only a matter of time before he decided to run in the presidential elections. In 2022, Bongbong was up against nine other presidential candidates, the most notable being Leni Robredo, who was the Vice President at that time. It was reported that social media campaigns to discredit Robredo, a strong disinformation campaign, and online efforts to revise history contributed to Bongbong’s win, putting the Marcoses firmly back in power. That election year was one of the most divisive times in Philippine history, as it resulted in the falling out of families, the shut down of a major TV network, and increased hostility in social media platforms. 

Political Dynasties and Their Hold on Social Media

Political analysts are saying that the Philippines is where it is right now because certain politicians have turned public office into family businesses. With everyone complaining about the ever-increasing prices of commodities, lack of jobs, and non-stop graft and corruption for so many years now, many would think that Filipinos should have had enough of political families by this time. However, with politicians becoming social media savvy in recent years, it’s likely that more political dynasties will rise in the future. With the majority of Filipinos perpetually online, it’s likely that political clans will take to the Internet to gather support for their family members who are vying for a place in politics.

Other than the Dutertes, political analyst Edmund Tayao predicts that there will be more families running together in the upcoming senate elections. Siblings Pia and Alan Cayetano currently have seats in the senate, and so do Cynthia Villar and her son Mark. They are all projected to run for reelection in 2025. Meanwhile, 3 members of the Tulfo family, which has four members in congress, are also said to run in the senate elections. Their bid for a senate seat will be confirmed upon the filing of Certificates of Candidacy in October.

Countering Political Misinformation on Social Media

Certain influencers have found ways to spread disinformation on social media as a way to promote some political families, but anti-disinformation advocates have also taken to TikTok and Facebook to fight political misinformation. Genealogist Mona Magno-Veluz is one such TikTok personality who is actively battling historical and political misinformation. There’s also the local civic society organization Break the Fake movement, which regularly holds seminars to train influencers to fact-check their sources. 

AI tools have also been used by fact-checking initiatives such as FactsFirstPH to fight disinformation. Meanwhile, to inform the youth about election-related information, nonprofit corporation Pinas Forward created the E-Boto website, which contains background information for all national candidates, presented in a Gen Z-friendly, TikTok style.

Can Social Media Eradicate Political Dynasties in the Philippines?

Social media has made it easier to access information, but it has also created opportunities to spread disinformation and propaganda techniques to sway the results of elections. Knowing how to distinguish facts from lies, and putting a stop to historical revisionism can protect Filipinos from repeating past mistakes. Fact-checking information, hearing the opinions of a diverse group of people, and educating the public about the dangers of disinformation, fear mongering, hate speech, and cyberbullying may all help to boost the nation’s media literacy and prevent political families from dominating in the upcoming elections. 

But as long as Filipinos keep voting for candidates who share the same beliefs and principles as their family members who are in power, no amount of protests on Facebook or Twitter can change the country’s political landscape. As proven by the current administration, social media will continue to be a valuable tool for political dynasties jockeying for power. After all, it helped a once shunned family to regain their place in politics, so no one should be surprised if it enables multiple family members – even those who are blatantly unqualified – to be elected into public office. 

Nina Sumsy Nina Sumsy is a freelance writer with a background in journalism

[brookston]

Holidays 12.31

Holidays

Banished Words List Day

Bright Idea Day

Check the Smoke Alarms Day

Cowbellion de Rakin Revel (Alabama)

Customs Officers’ Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Falls Festival Starts (Byron Bay; Australia)

Genf Restoration (Restoration of the Republic Geneva; Switzerland)

Granite Day (French Republic)

International Solidarity Day (Azerbaijan)

Leap Second Time Adjustment Day

Lightbulb Day

Make Up Your Mind Day

Namahage (Japan)

National Andrea Day

National Heroes Day (East Timor)

Oga no Namahage (Oga City, Japan)

The Old Life Festival (Elder Scrolls)

One Voice Day

Pal-O-Ween (from “Kevin Can F**k Himself”) [Every 31st]

Procrastinator's Day

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Silvesterklause (Switzerland)

Solidarity Day of the World (Azerbaijan)

Universal Hour of Peace (UN) [11:30 pm]

World Healing Day

World Peace Meditation Day

You’re All Done Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Champagne Day

National Vinegar Day

Welch’s Grape Day

Independence & Related Days

Ikerlàndia (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Penn Federal Republic (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Restoration of the Republic Day (Geneva, Switzerland)

Slinky Empire (Declared; 2008) [unrecognized]

New Year’s Days

January 0

New Year's Eve (a.k.a. ... 

Afternoon Before New Year’s Day (Estonia)

Amateur Drinking Night

Amband

Auld Year's Night (Scotland)

Baal Fire Festival (England)

Baharu (a.k.a. Baru; Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore)

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon (Philippines)

Brew Year's Eve

Calennig (Wales)

Ditch the Resolutions Day

Feast of Father Time

Festival of the Dead (Positivist)

Festival of Yemya (Yoruba/Santeria)

Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration (Anchorage, Alaska)

First Footing

First Night

Fravartigan (Parsi Zoroastrian)

Freedom’s Eve

Gamlarskvold (Iceland)

Harvest Day (Benin)

Hogmanay (Scotland)

Joya no Kane (Japan)

Kanun Novogo Goda (Russia)

Karma (African Americans, African Diaspora)

Losar (Ladakh, India) >li>Loosing (a.k.a. Nansoong; Sikkim, India)

Malam Tahun

Namahge (Demon Festival; Japan)

Noche de Pedimento (Wishing Night; Mexico)

Noche Vieja (Mexico)

Nochevieja or Fin de Año (Spain)

No Resolution Day

Novy God Eve (Russia)

Oíche Chinn Bliana (a.k.a. Oíche na Coda Móire or Oíche Chaille; Ireland)

Okera Matsuri (Sacred fire Rite; Kyoto, Japan)

Old Year’s Night (England)

Ōmisoka (Prepare and Welcome New Year’s God Toshigami; Japan)

Oud en Nieuw or Oudejaarsavond (Netherlands)

Pele ga Ngwaga o Mosha (Botswana)

Ritual for Iemanja (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Samoan Fire Dance (Samoa)

Silvester

Sint Sylvester Vooravond (a.k.a. Oudjaar; Belgium)

Stonehenge Fireball Festival (UK)

Swinging the Fireballs (Stonehaven, Scotland)

Szilveszter (Hungary)

Tar Barrel Burning (Allendale, England)

The Night of Big Portion (Ireland)

Vigilia di Capodanno (a.k.a. Notte di San Silvestro; Italy)

Watch Night (Christian)

World Peace Meditation Day

Yang Yi (Uzbekistan)

5th & Last Tuesday in December

No Interruptions Day [Last Workday of the Year]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Target Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Tater Tot Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Teriyaki Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Transformation Tuesday [Last Tuesday of Each Month]

Trivia Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Two For Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning December 31 (Last Week of the Year)

None Known

Festivals Beginning December 31, 2024

AdAmAn Club Pikes Peak Fireworks (Pikes Peak, Colorado)

Burlington New Year's Eve Celebration (Burlington, Vermont)

CelebrateSA: NYE Countdown (San Antonio, Texas)

CherryT Ball Drop (Traverse City, Michigan)

Davao City Torotot Festival (Davao City, Philippines) [thru 1.1]

The Drop in Motor City (Detroit, Michigan)

Dropping of the Conch Shell (Key West, Florida)

Dropping of the Edelweiss & New Year's Eve Event (Helen, Georgia)

Eastport Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop (Eastport, Maine)

First Night Boston (Boston, Massachusetts)

First Night Hartford (Hartford, Connecticut)

First Night Ocean City (Ocean City, New Jersey)

First Night Portsmouth (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

First Night Talbot Crab Drop (Easton, Maryland)

Flora-Bama New Year's Eve Bash (Orange Beach, Alabama)

Freedom Time (Perth, Western Australia)

Fresh Start (San Francisco, California) [thru 1.1]

The Great Pinecone Drop (Flagstaff, Arizona)

Idaho Potato Drop (Boise, Idaho)

Krumpe's Donut Drop (Hagerstown, Maryland)

Las Cruces Chile Drop (Las Cruces, New Mexico)

Last Night on the Town (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Little Apple New Year's Eve (Manhattan, Kansas)

Midnight New Year’s Eve Countdown (Waikiki, Hawaii)

Minneapolis New Year's Eve (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Missoula On Main and Beyond (Missoula, Montana)

Mobile New Year's MoonPie Drop (Mobile, Alabama)

New Year's Eve Anchor Drop (Pascagoula, Mississippi)

New Year's Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)

New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop (Panama City Beach, Florida)

New Years' Eve Celebration (Simi Valley, California)

New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fireworks (Anchorage, Alaska)

New Year's Celebration at Half-Mile Farm (Highlands, North Carolina)

New Year’s Eve Duck Drop & Fireworks (Havre de Grace, Maryland)

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular (Omaha, Nebraska)

New Year's Eve Hershey Kiss Drop (Hershey, Pennsylvania)

New Year's Eve in Denver (Denver, Colorado)

New Year's Eve in Jackson Square (New Orleans, Louisiana)

New Year's Eve in New Brunswick (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

New Year's Eve Grape Drop (Temecula, California)

New Year's Eve Midnight Muskrat Dive (Princess Anne, Maryland)

New Year's Eve Orange Drop (Orlando, Florida)

New Year's Eve Pickle Drop (Mt. Olive, North Carolina)

New Year's Eve Shamrock Drop (Dublin, Georgia)

New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop (Fernandina Beach, Florida)

New Year's Fest (Kalamazoo, Michigan)

NYE Live! St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri)

Price Tower Olive Drop (Bartlesville, Oklahoma)

Rockport New Year’s Eve (Rockport, Massachusetts)

Sarasota New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop (Sarasota, Florida)

Sartori Big Cheese Drop (Plymouth, Wisconsin)

Savannah's Waterfront New Year's Eve (Savannah, Georgia)

Shad Drop (Grifton, North Carolina)

Tallapossa Possum Drop (Tallapoosa, Georgia)

Times Square New Year's Eve (New York, New York)

Walleye Madness at Midnight (Port Clinton, Ohio)

Westport New Year's Eve Fireworks Show (Westport, Washington)

Feast Days

Apodosis of Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Archangel Gabriel (Coptic Church)

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Artology)

Columba (Christian; Saint)

Connie Willis (Writerism)

Fairy Eve’s Year’s News (Shamanism)

Feast of Sharaf (Honor; Baha’i)

Feast of the Holy Family (Christian)

Festival of the Dead (Complimentary Day; Positivist)

First Foot Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Giovanni Boldini (Artology)

Henri Matisse (Artology)

Het Pint (Celtic Book of Days)

Hogmanay (Pagan; Scotland)

Hogmanay / Hug Many Day (Pastafarian)

Isabel & The Shark (Muppetism)

Julie Doucet (Artology)

Junot Díaz (Writerism)

Kwanzaa, Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity)

Look Good Until You Die Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Lucifer Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Max Pechstein (Artology)

Melania the Younger (Christian; Saint)

ND Stevenson (Artology)

Nicholas Sparks (Writerism)

Seventh Day of Christmas

Siné (Artology)

Steve Rude(Artology)

Sylvester I, Pope (Catholic Church)

Tess Jaray (Artology)

Twelve Holy Days #6 (Virgo, the intestinal tract; Esoteric Christianity)

Twelvetide, Day #7; Silvester (a.k.a. the Twelve Days of Christmas or Christmastide) [until 1.5]

Zoticus of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Hanukkah, Day #7 (a.k.a. Chanukah; Judaism) [thru Jan. 2nd] (Light 7 Candles at Dusk) [30 Kislev-1 Tevet]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day of Sekhmet (Egyptian Warrior Goddess)

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unlucky Day (Worldwide)

Premieres

The Bear That Wasn’t (MGM Cartoon; 1967)

The Birds and Other Stories, by Daphne du Maurier (Short Stories; 1952)

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (Film; 1969)

Cool For Cats (BBC Musical Variety TV Show; 1956)

Destination Tokyo (Film; 1943)

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (TV Special; 1972)

Divorce Court (TV Series; 1957)

The Dot and the Line (MGM Cartoon; 1965)

Duel in the Sun (Film; 1946)

The Dunderheads or Feeling Zero (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 243; 1963)

Forrest Gump, by Winston Groom (Novel; 1986)

The Fraudulent Volcano (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #16; 1964)

The Knight and Knave of Swords, by Fritz Leiber (Short Stories; 1988) [Fafhrd and Gray Mouser #7]

Love To Love You Baby, by Donna Summer (Song; 1975)

The Marry-G-Round (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1943)

The Mice Will Play (WB MM Cartoon; 1938)

A Most Violent Year (Film; 2014)

New Years’ Rockin’ Eve (New Year’s Eve TV Special; 1972)

One Froggy Evening (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

The Paradine Case (Film; 1947)

Perfume, by Patrick Süskind (Novel; 1985)

Pirates of Penzance, by Gilbert & Sullivan (Comic Opera; 1879)

Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates (Novel; 1961)

Symphony in Spinach (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1948)

Three to Go or Crash on Delivery (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 244; 1963)

Two Doors Down (Scottish TV Series; 2013)

Today’s Name Days

Melanie, Silvester (Austria)

Donata, Silvestar, Silvija (Croatia)

Silvestr (Czech Republic)

Sylvester (Denmark)

Silvar, Silver, Silvester, Silvo (Estonia)

Silvo, Sylvester (Finland)

Colombe, Sylvestre (France)

Melanie, Silvester (Germany)

Melany (Greece)

Szilveszter (Hungary)

Paolina, Silvestro (Italy)

Kalvis, Silvestrs (Latvia)

Gedgantas, Melanija, Mingailė, Silvestras (Lithuania)

Sylfest, Sylvi, Sylvia (Norway)

Korneliusz, Mariusz, Melania, Sebastian, Sylwester, Tworzysław (Poland)

Melania (Romania)

Silvester (Slovakia)

Melania, Silvestre (Spain)

Sylvester (Sweden)

Melania (Ukraine)

Malone, Melania, Melanie, Melany, Silas, Silvester, Sylvester (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 366 of 2024; 0 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of Week 1 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Ding-Chou), Day 1 (Ji-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 30 Kislev 5785

Islamic: 29 Jumada II 1446

J Cal: 6 Fest; Leapday [6 of 6]

Julian: 18 December 2024

Moon: 1%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: Festival of Holy Women (Complementary Day)

Runic Half Month: Eihwaz or Eoh (Yew Tree) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 11 of 90)

Week: Last Week of December

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 10 of 30)

Calendar Changes

冰月 [Bīngyuè] (Chinese Lunisolar Calendar) [Month 12 of 12] (Ice Month) [Ox Month]

Festival of Holy Women [Complimentary Extra Day, Leap Years Only; Month 0 of 13; Positivist]

[redxpranger]

Having a mother who loves to bake made me fall in love with bread and pastries on an entirely different level. It’s funny—I just realized I’ve never actually baked bread myself. So far, I’ve only tried making cakes and cookies. I suppose I know how to bake bread in theory, but I’ve yet to put that knowledge into practice.

I find it a little amusing and endearing how, whenever someone in the family brings home bread or pastries, my mom always asks for my opinion. It’s because I don’t give simple feedback like, “I like it” or “I don’t like it.” I’ll break it down—the texture, the presentation, the taste, and even the overall experience of eating it. My mom and I are such geeks about bread and pastries. When she bakes, I often ask her about the purpose of each ingredient and how things like temperature can affect the final product.

One moment I cherish was the time I bought a Leche Flan Cheesecake from a coffee shop I love. I fell in love with it instantly and decided to buy more to bring home to my mom. I remember I went home feeling excited. It wasn’t just to share—I wanted to subtly suggest it as her “next baking project.” HAHA! I thought of it as my way of supporting and encouraging her in the things she loves. It was also a small gesture to show my parents that I can be soft and affectionate, even though they often see me as someone who’s “hard as a rock.”

Lately, my mom and I have been geeking out about this local bakery here in Davao. It’s such a simple place, just like any typical neighborhood bakery, but the quality of their bread and pastries is incredible! They’re not very well-known, and people who are familiar with it often describe it as “lowkey.” I’m not sure why I’m writing about this, but maybe it’s because I want to remember these little moments someday.

[wonderwriters2024]

"Bye Achi"

"He is the source of happiness, the one who will take away the stress, and a cute but stubborn kid" his mom said.

Jarl Janus (JJ), 1 year old little boy. The task is to interview and observe the routine and behavior of the child and the family. We felt very nervous but at the same time in awe because of the new environment that we saw right before our eyes. The observation lasts a half day and we interview his mom in between the rest of Jj. In the morning, Jj's routine first thing in the morning is to wake up at 6 am then walk around their garden for several minutes with his nanny. After walking, Jj plays with his cat and when the time strikes at 7 am he will eat his breakfast at the table practicing eating by himself but of course with the of his nanny also. After eating, Jj went to his favorite place in the house: "The bath" he would say "Ba-bath" and drag his mom with him. He would usually take around 20 minutes to bathe because they let him play and swim around the bath tub. After bathing, around 9 am he would take his morning nap and so we interviewed the mother while Jj was sleeping.

We asked her several questions and was in awe at how open minded their family is. Or we're raised differently in our generation? She said that " I value the opinion and decisions of my kids at an early age, to guide and support them in any way possible for them to feel the love and care from us and for them to become independent". Come to think of it, A 1 year old kid gets to decide what he wants or not, it was amazing how parenting evolved as time passed by.

She also added " I try my best to be a good example to my children. Kids in general tend to copy everything that they see and observe from their environment. It's not enough that I will only tell them how to do and act a certain way. As a parent, I should also show them how to behave properly."

Despite the situation they have in the family ( going back and forth at Gensan to Davao beginning from monday and going home to Davao on Friday from work) her partner fills the gap whenever she's working miles away from home. They also have rules for the children like: 1 hour gadgets for the whole day in the weekdays and 3 hours for the weekends, lights off at 9 pm then story telling until the kids fall asleep and lastly they religiously do some stretching or yoga for the kids every morning to make them more flexible and healthier.

Jj's Favorite things to do : Traveling and Sleeping.

Part 2 coming up!

[mytravellingappetite]

CARAGA Region 2024

Butuan Airport

Enchanted River, Surigao Del Sur

Awao Falls, Davao De Oro