Remit2Home Trivia Time

1. The official ball of the 2014 World Cup made by Adidas is called Brazuca.

Remit2Home Trivia – Brazuca

2. Down syndrome is named after the English doctor, John Langdon Down, who was the first to categorize the common features of people with the condition.

3. The word malaria comes from the words mal and aria, which means bad air. This derives from the old days when it was thought that all diseases are caused by bad, or dirty air.

4. Choco chip cookies were made by accident when the chocolate in the cookie did not melt properly.

Remit2Home Blog – How were chocolate cookies made?

5. At 188 decibels, the Blue whale is the loudest mammal of all with its deep sound traveling hundreds of miles across the deep oceans.

Remit2Home Blog – Blue whale – the loudest mammal of all

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Proudly Pinoy – JOSE RIZAL

Hero of Philippines

Remit2Home Blog – Proudly Pinoy – Jose Rizal

How much Do You Know About Jose Rizal?

JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines, was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and clerical officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country during the time and the authorities were not only finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him down and he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago. When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now known as “Ultimo Adios” which is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos.

Timelines of Rizal

• At the age of 3, he learned the alphabets
• At 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist
• At 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, “Sa Aking Mga Kabata” the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language.
• At 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of “excellent” from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila; enrolled himself in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, and also took courses to a degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo, passed the Surveyor’s examination but because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice the profession until December 30, 1881
• At 20, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid • At the age of 23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine
• At 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of “excellent”
• He mastered 22 languages which includes Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects
• At 25, he completed his eye specialization under the renowned professor, Otto Becker in Heidelberg
• His daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE, a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was published in Berlin
• EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel and a sequel to the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was printed in Ghent.
• At 31, he formed a civic movement called La Liga Filipina. The league advocated these moderate social reforms through legal means, but was disbanded by the governor. At that time, he had already been declared an enemy of the state by the Spanish authorities because of the publication of his novel.
• At 35, in the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was executed at Bagumbayan Field. He was executed by firing squad and his last words were those of Jesus Christ: “consummatum est” — it is finished.

Remit2Home Blog – Philippines Hero – Jose Rizal

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OFW CORNER – June 2014

Mga Bansa na itinaas ang Crisis Alert Level

Remit2Home Blog – Mga Bansa na itinaas ang Crisis Alert Level

Ayon sa ulat noong ika 18 ng Hunyo, ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay naglabas ng mga antas ng alerto nito sa 12 mga bansa dahil sa sitwasyon ng seguridad sa mga lugar na iyon, mula sa pag-atake ng mga rebelde, digmaang sibil at politikal na mga suliranin. Sa kanyang pahina sa Facebook, nag-post ang Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief na si Hans Leo Cacdac ng isang update ng lahat ng mga antas ng alerto at ang katayuan ng pag-deploy ng mga OFW sa apektadong mga bansa. Ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay pinapayuhan ang mga kababayang Pilipino sa mga bansang ito upang maging listo at laging mag-iingat.

Ang listahan ng mga antas ng alerto simula noong Hunyo 17, 2014 ay ang mga sumusunod:
• Alert Level 4 (ipinag-uutos sa pagpapabalik sa sariling bayan, Total Ban sa OFW Deployment) – Syria, Iraq
• Level Alert 3 (kusang-loob pagpapabalik sa sariling bayan, Total Ban sa OFW Deployment) – South Sudan, Libya (Bahagyang Deployment para sa ilang mga kategorya ng mga Bumabalik na mga Manggagawa)
• Level Alert 2 (paghihigpit, Ban sa Deployment ng New Hires Lamang) – Yemen, Ukraine
• Level Alert 1 (pag-iingat, Walang Deployment Ban) – Ehipto, Kenya, Lebanon, Venezuela, Kurdistan (Northern bahagi ng Iraq), Thailand
Mangyaring alamin ang pinakahuling ulat mula sa POEA at DFA kung kayo ay pupunta o kasalukuyang nakatira sa mga nabanggit na mga bansa.

Mga Pinoy, mas madali nang pumunta sa Japan

Remit2Home Blog – Mga Pinoy, mas madali nang pumunta sa Japan

Magandang balita para sa mga may balak pumunta sa Japan! Ang Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) ay naglabas ng pahayag na nagsasaad na ang mga Pinoy kasama na rin ang mga Vietnamese at Indonesians ay mapapadali na ang pagproseso ng visa dahil babawasan ng Japan ang kahigpitan sa mga requirements para sa multiple-entry na visa at ang mga requirement sa single-entry visa ay mas madali ang proseso sa pamamagitan ng mga travel agencies. Idinagdag dito, gayunpaman, na ang mga detalye ng relaxation ng visa requirements kabilang ang petsa ng simula ng application ay hindi pa nababatid. Sinabi ng MOFA na ang mga hakbang na ito ay makakatulong sa pag unlad ng bansang Japan bilang tourism-oriented na bansa na may mataas na layunin na mag-aakit ng 20 milyong mga banyaga

Mga OFW sa Canada – iwasan ang Double jobs dahil bawal at delikado

Remit2Home Blog – Mga OFW sa Canada – iwasan ang Double jobs dahil bawal at delikado

Ang mga Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) at mga caregivers na nagtatrabaho ng extra maliban sa kanilang pinirmahang kontrata ay mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa Canada at kapag nahuli ng gobyerno ay maaring haharap ng deportasyon Ang West Coast Domestic Workers Association (WCDWA) ay nagbigay ng alarma sa mga “under-the-table na mga trabaho” na ginagawa ng mga TFWs at caregivers at ito ay irereport nila sa mga opisyal ng imigrasyon. Ayon sa ulat, maraming mga workers na rin ang nahuling nagtatrabaho bilang part-time workers bukod sa kanilang working permits at ang mga Pinoy ay binabalaan ng gobyerno na mag-ingat at iwasan ang ganitong illegal na sitwasyon kung ayaw nilang makulong o mapaalis sa Canada.

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Health Corner – Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

What is Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Remit2Home Blog – Health Corner – Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest. It is a common disorder that produces a lot of unhappiness. Many people suffering from this condition are unaware of its symptoms and therefore think they have a severe sweat problem rather than a specific malady.
Untreated, these problems may continue throughout life. Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes, and it complicates business and social interactions. Severe cases can have serious practical consequences as well, making it hard for people who suffer from it to hold a pen, grip a steering wheel, or shake hands. It is associated with a significant quality of life burden from a psychological, emotional, and social perspective. As such, it has been referred to as the ‘silent handicap’. At least 3% of the global population suffers from excessive sweating and it affects both sexes equally, and all races.

Remit2Home Blog – Health Corner – Hyperhidrosis

Causes

Persons with hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet, and armpits, it is called primary or focal hyperhidrosis. Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause excessive sweating, most cases occur in people who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.

Types of Hyperhidrosis

Primary focal – When your excessive sweating is not caused by any other medical condition or is not a side effect of any drugs that you may be under you are suffering from primary hyperhidrosis.

Secondary – This type of excessive sweating (also called generalized hyperhidrosis) is caused by a usually unrelated medical condition or is a side effect of a particular drug.

Treatments

1. Over-the-counter antiperspirants – Home remedies like these are usually tried first because they are readily available
2. Prescription-strength antiperspirants – those containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate
3. Iontophoresis – a device which passes direct electricity through the skin using tap water
4. Microwave destruction – a device destroys the sweat glands purportedly causing minimal damage to other tissues
5. Oral medications – from the group of medications known as anticholinergics, which reduce sweating
6. Botox (botulinum toxin) – approved in the US by the FDA for treating excessive axillary (underarm) sweating
7. Surgery – cervical sympathectomy, or interruption of certain nerve pathways, as a last resort

Data Source – Read more about this here:

http://www.medicinenet.com/hyperhidrosis/article.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007259.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhidrosis

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Pansit Guisado (Stir-fried Bihon Noodles)

Remit2Home Blog – Food Corner – Pansit Guisado (Stir-fried Bihon Noodles) – Philippines

Pancit or pansit is the term for noodles in Filipino cuisine. Noodles were introduced into the Philippines by the Chinese and have since been adopted and used regularly. The consumption of the long noodles is believed to ensure a long life in those who eat the dish, that is why Pansit is always served during special occasions in Philippines especially during birthdays. Thin rice noodles mixed with chicken, pork, shrimp, cabbage and carrots and then seasoned with a light soy sauce are the ingredients for a tasty pansit guisado.

Ingredients:
1 Package (8-12 oz) Rice Noodles; Labeled “Pancit Bihon” or just “Bihon”
1 teaspoon Vegetable oil
1 Onion, Finely sliced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup boneless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup Pork, diced
½ cup Shrimp (cleaned)
8 cups Cabbage; Shredded
4 Carrots; Julienned
¼ cup green bell pepper, thin strips
¼ cup Soy Sauce
¼ cup Chicken Broth (Optional)
Salt, black pepper for seasoning

For Garnish
Lemon, sliced
Spring onion, chopped
2 Hard Boiled eggs, sliced

Remit2Home Blog – Stir-Fried Bihon Noodles

How to Cook?

1. Take the dry noodles and submerge them in warm water and then set them aside.
2. Place a large wok or skillet on the stove over a medium heat.
3. Pour the vegetable oil in the skillet or wok.
4. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are soft.
5. Add the chicken and pork and cook until done.
6. Add the shrimp along with the soy sauce and cook for 1 minute.
7. Add the cabbage and carrots and cook until the cabbage is soft.
8. Add in the chicken broth if required; or else, use water as an option.
9. Remove the noodles from the water and drain just until they’re no longer dripping.
10. Add to the skillet or wok along with the bell pepper and toss over a medium heat until well mixed, season with salt and black pepper.
11. Serve in a big platter or bowl and garnish with sliced or quartered eggs, lemon slices, and spring onions.

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Remit2Home Recipe – Tikiya Kebab

Remit2Home Blog – Bangladesh – Tikiya Kebab

Ingredients

• 1 oz (25 g) channa dhal, split
• 8 oz (225 g) fatless stewing meat
• 1 brown cardamom, ground
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 inch (2.5 cm) fresh ginger, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper,
• 1 large clove garlic, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• ghee or oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• fine breadcrumbs

Steps

1. Soak the dal overnight, then boil in twice its volume of water. Strain off any excess water.
2. Put the meat, onion, ginger, garlic and spices through a mincer. Mix well and add salt to taste.
3. Add the dal to the mixture, and fry in a little ghee for 20 minutes. Add a *little* water if it dries up too much. Leave aside for about 3 hours or overnight to thicken and dry.
4. The next day or when ready, add the egg yolk, and, if it doesn’t hold together, add gram flour to thicken or water to thin. Add fresh coriander or parsley.
5. For Seekh Kebabs roll the mixture in breadcrumbs to sausage shapes. Skewer them and cook over charcoal (best), under the grill, or fry in a frying pan.
6. For Shami Kebabs, roll into balls, coat in breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

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Ramadan Kareem

Remit2Home Blog – Bangladesh – Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Muslims all around the world are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam during this month. The fast begins at dawn and ends at sunset. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity.

It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy and sane, and have no disabilities or illnesses. Many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Exemptions to fasting are travel, menstruation, severe illness, pregnancy, and breast-feeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions insist on fasting to satisfy their spiritual needs.

Bangladesh
Festival: Ramadan Kareem
City: All Cities in the country
Event Type: Fasting from sunrise to sunset
Venue: All over Bangladesh
Date & Time: Starts on Saturday, 28th June OR Sunday, 29th June 2014 (subject to moon)

United States Of America
Event: Louisiana Peach Festival
City: Los Angeles, USA
Event Type: Entertainment
Venue: Downtown – Ruston, LA 71270
Date & Time: 28th June 2014 Saturday, 8.00 am – 6.00 pm

United Kingdom
Event: Newbury Summer Food Festival – Armed Forces day celebration
City: Newbury, West Berkshire RG141AA
Event Type: Family Event
Venue: Newbury, West Berkshire RG141AA
Date & Time: 28th June 2014, Saturday to 29th June 2014, Sunday, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

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Dhakeshwari National Temple – The Goddess of Dhaka

Remit2Home Blog – Dhakeshwari National Temple

The name “Dhakeshwari” itself means “Goddess of Dhaka”. The Dhakeshwari Temple is a state-owned Hindu temple located at Bakshi Bazar, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, giving it the merit of being Bangladesh’s ‘National Temple’. Dhakeshwari Temple was renamed Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir (National Temple) in the year 1966, reflecting its position as the centre of Hindu culture and worship in Bangladesh.

Remit2Home Blog – Bangladesh – Dhakeshwari National Temple

This was the result of the culmination of a major campaign by Bangladeshi Hindu groups who had been demanding official recognition for the primary Hindu place of worship following the declaration of Islam as the state religion in 1988. As a result, the flag of Bangladesh is hoisted every morning outside the main temple premises, and it follows the National Flag Code rules such as rendering half-mast on nationally declared days of mourning. As a practice in other leading religious places of worship in Bangladesh, day long prayers are a common practice during the important national holidays such as Independence Day, Language Martyrs’ Day, Victory Day and birth and death anniversaries of former leaders such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman.

Remit2Home Blog – Dhakeshwari National Temple built-in 12th century

The Dhakeshwari temple was built-in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena dynasty, and many say the name of the city was coined after this temple. The current style of architecture of the temple cannot be dated to that period because of numerous repairs, renovations and rebuilding in its long years of existence and its present condition does not clearly show any of its original architectural characteristics. Though it is still considered an essential part of Dhaka’s cultural heritage.

Remit2Home Blog – Bangladesh – Dhakeshwari National Temple

Many researchers say that the temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the jewel from the crown of the Goddess had fallen. Although there is not enough historical contexts in order to establish this as a fact, researchers were directed to this site while trying to locate the particular Shakti Peetha. Since ages, the temple has been held in great importance. The original 800-year old statue was destroyed during the War of 1971. The temple was further damaged during the riots of 1989-90.

Remit2Home Blog – Bangladesh – People flocking the temple to worship the Goddess of Dhaka

It is widely believed that the Queen, wife of King Bijoy Sen went to Langolbond for bathing. While coming back she gave birth to a son, known to historians as Ballal Sen. After ascending to the throne, Ballal Sen built this temple to glorify his birthplace. Legends say that Ballal Sen once dreamt of the goddess covered under the jungle and he uncovered the idol from there and built a temple and named it as Dhakeswari. Whatever the legends describe, Hindu religious consider Dhakeswari to be the presiding holiness of Dhaka, which is an incarnation or form of Goddess Durga the Adi Shakti.

Remit2Home Blog – Bangladesh – Dhakeshwari National Temple – Statue of Goddess Durga

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Remit2Home PROBAD – Saying of the month

Remit2Home Blog – Don’t stray from the path

Quote

কানা গরুর ভিন্ন পথ। – “Kana Gorur Bhinno Poth”

The English Translation – The different path of the one-eyed cow.

Meaning of the Quote – The fool strays from the safe path.

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Remit2Home Trivia Time

Remit2Home Trivia – The Big Nickel

1. The Big Nickel located in Sudbury Ontario is the world’s largest coin. It is a giant reproduction of a 1951 Canadian nickel, measuring 9 meters (30 feet) in diameter.

Remit2Home Blog – Trivia – Flamingos

2. Flamingos are monogamous birds that lay only a single egg each year. If that egg is lost or damaged, they do not typically lay a replacement.

3. The word “toast,” meaning a wish of good health, started in ancient Rome, where a piece of toasted bread was dropped into wine.

4. In Libya, the people eat food imported mostly from other countries because the country is covered with almost 90% desert, very little rainfall and food cannot grow in the desert.

5. The famous logic-toy Rubik’s Cube was invented by a Hungarian engineer, Ernő Rubik. Mr. Rubik originally named the toy as Magic Cube.
Hint: the colour of a side is determined by the colour of the centre-cube of that side.

Remit2Home Trivia – Rubik’s Cube

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