The 2016 Olympic goes to Rio de Janeiro, a first for any South American city. Brazil is the next host of the summer Olympic Games, after London in 2012, as declared by the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen on October 2, 2009. The South American city beat out Tokyo, Samaranch-powered Madrid, and even the Obama-backed Chicago.

Here’s a video from AP on the official announcement:
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Popularity: 8% [?]

Who can stop Manny Pacquiao from running in the 2010 Elections? Tell us.

According to recent news, the Pacman is determined to run for public office this 2010, like he did in 2007. He then lost to the diminutive Darlene Custodio, whose family ruled the province for many years. The voters in South Cotabato think he was not yet ready. But this time, the people’s champ will once again try his luck at Congress. But who will stop him from running?

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Popularity: 12% [?]

There won’t be a rematch of last year’s finals. Rafael Nadal, the current world no.1 and Wimbledon defending champion, will not see action at the grass grand-slam tourney this year.

He has complained of his knees since his fourth-round exit against Robin Soderling at the French Open three weeks ago. “I’m just not 100%,” said Nadal during a news conference at the All England Club. “I’m better than I was a couple of weeks ago, but I just don’t feel ready.”

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Popularity: 10% [?]

Is it going to be Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain? November 4, 2008 is fast approaching and it is not only America that is waiting for the result of the US Presidential elections. The world is watching closely.

Mc Cain vs Obama

Recent news revealed the Gen Collin Powell, a renowned Republican, endorsed Sen. Obama, the standard bearer of the Democrats. Another Republican heavyweight announced that he also intended to vote for Obama. What could be the main reason? Is it McCain’s running mate choice of Gov.Sarah Palin, the relatively unknown Governor of Alaska? Most thinks so. A poor choice of a running mate could also be an indication of poor judgment. A poor judgment will bury America deeper into the pits of economic crises.

Latest poll surveys favored Obama. Now that they are on the last week of their campaign, can the Democrats celebrate this early? Remember how Bush Jr. upset the more popular Al Gore. The old man can still pull the rags from under. But I don’t know of Palin. She might be offered a full-time job at Saturday Night Live, if the Republicans lose.

It Is About the Economy

Who has the most convincing plan of rescuing USA from further recession? It is no longer about war on terrorism and of world domination. It is about the economy. So far, the Democrats has the edge. Saving the American economy would be like saving the world. We, in Asia, are already feeling the effect of their weak economy. What if the BPOs here pull out in a month’s time? Or their investments drawn back and transferred to America? The result of the 2008 US Presidential elections is a turning point for America and the rest of the world. May the American people choose well!

Popularity: 9% [?]

The list of the October 2008 Philippine CPA Board Exam Topnotchers and list of the top-performing schools is now available here.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 2,442 out of 6,663 (36.65%) passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this October 2008.

The results were released in one (1) day after the last day of examination. The top 10 Examinees are:

1. Richie Jackson Taguinod Padilla Univ. of St. Louis Tuguegarao 92.71
2 Ziff Calvin Rigor Marabillo Silliman University 92.14
3 Joanes Albert Batalla De Vera Far Eastern University-Manila 92.00
4 Richellou Jamaica Ortega Lenon University Of The Philippines-Diliman 91.86
5 Hazel Angeline Quiapos Abenoja Bicol University-Legazpi 91.57
6 Mhark Almario Serato De La Salle University-Manila 91.43
7 Kristine Jennifer Discaya Chua University Of The Philippines-Diliman 91.29
8 Adrian Hizon Bajador University Of The Philippines-Diliman 91.14
9 Raymund Christian Sayco Ong Abrantes Ateneo De Davao University 91.00
Teejay Tamayo Banal Jose Rizal University (Jrc) 91.00
Apple Amatorio Canaya University Of The Philippines-Visayas-Iloilo City 91.00
Jessica Madriaga Delos Reyes Adamson University 91.00
Melody Jade Figueroa Quilana University Of Northern Philippines-Vigan 91.00
Leomar Gabon Velez Polytechnic University Of The Philippines-Main-Sta. Mesa 91.00
10 Edison Ramirez Bautista Wesleyan University Of The Philippines-Cabanatuan City 90.86
Mark Jerson Rodriguez Pulohanan University Of The Philippines-Visayas-Iloilo City 90.86

The Top performing schools in the October 2008 CPA Board Exams are the following: (Note: The first figure is the total number of examinees, then the number of passers and the passing percentage)

A. With 100 And More Examinees
1 University Of Santo Tomas 332 259 78.00%
2 Ateneo De Davao University 100 64 64.00%
3 Polytechnic University Of The Philippines – Main – Sta. Mesa 584 301 52.00%

B. With 51-99 Examinees
1 De La Salle University – Manila 51 38 75.00%
2 San Beda College 72 45 63.00%
3 Bicol University – Legazpi 59 35 59.00%

C. With 26-50 Examinees
1 University Of The Philippines – Diliman 40 40 100.00%
2 Ateneo De Zamboanga 37 26 70.00%
3 Siliman University 26 18 69.00%
D. With 10-25 Examinees
1 University Of Saint La Salle 23 22 96.00%
2 University Of The Philippines – Visayas – Tacloban City 25 23 92.00%
3 De La Salle University – Dasmariñas 15 13 87.00%

Congratulations to the October 2008 CPA Board Exam topnotchers and to the schools producing them. I don’t see any from the Cebu schools though they were consistently present in the past.

For those who are looking for the list of passers, please check it here: October 2008 CPA Board Exam Results

Popularity: 94% [?]

Long-time rivals in almost everything, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will battle the La Salle Green Archers for the coveted crown of the UAAP 71st Men’s Basketball Finals. It will be the fourth overall Finals confrontation between these two elite teams. The series will commence this Sunday, 4pm at the Big Dome but the tickets were already sold out Monday, according to the Inquirer.

“There were people who camped out overnight, there was already a line by 4 a.m.,” said a TicketNet representative. The ticketing outlet was opened at 9am and closed at 1230nn, because the tickets were sold out within 3 hours. Due to the huge demand, TicketNet decided to sell just two tickets per individual. It sold mostly game passes to free-seating areas in Upper Box A (P220), Upper Box B (P95) and General Admission (P55).

This may sound crazy but we’re a basketball crazy-nation, right? The last time these two met, there was a paying crowd of 22,316. This is far more than the average attendance of a PBA game finals. Some bought tickets even as high as P7,000 from scalpers. Excellent business!

So, who’s your pick for this year’s Finals?

Popularity: 8% [?]