Time.com, the online medium of Time Magazine, released today the “10 Megacities of Today” and “10 Fastest-Growing Cities of Tomorrow” which tackles “the most pressing population issues of the day, from the quest for sustainable energy sources to a look at what our biggest cities would look like in the decades to come.”

10 Megacities of Today (City – Current population)

1. Tokyo, Japan – 32.5 million
2. Seoul, Korea – 20.6 million
3. Mexico City, Mexico – 20.5 million
4. New York City, USA – 19.8 million
5. Mumbai, India – 19.2 million
6. Jakarta, Indonesia – 18.9 million
7. Sao Paulo, Brazail – 18.8 million
8. Delhi, India – 18.6 million
9. Shanghai, China – 16.7 million
10. Manila, Philippines – 16.3 million

10 Fastest-Growing Cities of Tomorrow (City – Predicted increase in population by 2025)

1. Delhi, India – 6.41 million
2. Dhaka, Bangladesh – 6.29 million
3. Kinshasha, Congo – 6.29 million
4. Mumbai, India – 5.76 million
5. Karachi, Pakistan – 5.6 million
6. Lagos, Nigeria – 5.23 million
7. Kolkata, India – 4.56 million
8. Shanghai, China – 3.44 million
9. Manila, Philippines – 3.29 million
10. Lahore, Pakistan – 3.17 million

I was probably inside the bus, on my way home, when a magnitude 6.0 earthquake was felt in Metro Manila and probably the whole part of Luzon.

According to United States Geological Survey or USGS, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits Luzon at 1:44 AM (Philippine time) at epicenter. The epicenter’s distance is 24 km (14 miles) NW of Olongapo City, 54 km (33 miles) WSW of Angeles City, 102 km (63 miles) WNW of Manila and 108 km (67 miles) WSW of Cabanatuan City.

See image below from USGS for more details:

Another info from Global Seismic Monitor:

Where were you when the said earthquake happened? Perhaps you were already sleeping and dreaming that your world was rocking.

Romi Garduce is on his way to Indonesia to continue his quest of becoming the first Filipino to reach the 7 Summits – seven highest mountains in the seven continents.

Garduce, who became popular in 2006 when he reached the summit of Mt. Everest, continues his quest by climbing  4,884-meter Carstenz Pyramid in Indonesia. He is two summits behind before reaching the “7 Summits” record in mountaineering.

Here are the six summits that Romi Garduce has successfully climbed:

By December, Garduce will finish his record of reaching the 7 Summits by attempting to climb Vinson Massif, a 4,892-meter mountain situated at the Antarctic Peninsula in harsh below zero temperature.

You might be confused because there are 8 summits mentioned and actually 6 geographical continents on the earth. Yes there are 8 summits and 6 geographical continents. But why 6 continents only all we know is that we have 7 continents. Geographically speaking, Europe is just a peninsula of Eurasia continental platform and is not a geographical continent. The six geographic continents are: Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Eurasia, South America and North America. However, Europe is considered continent on a political perspective.

Why 8 peaks are listed above and not seven? We will better understand it by reading the History of 7 Summits Project.

For the meantime, while waiting for the update on Garduce’s quest, let’s take a look on the faces of Carstenz Pyramid (photo by JahodaPetr.com)

Carstensz Pyramid – Snow face

Carstensz Pyramid – Ice face

Carstensz Pyramid – Sun rise face

Carstensz Pyramid – Night face

This day was quite tiring yet I enjoy. Today was the scheduled Fun Run event entitled “I run for Integrity towards a New Philippines” 2011 at The Fort, Taguig City. Assembly was as early as 4AM, and the gun shot for 15K started at 5:30AM (first set of runners) and 6AM for 3K (my category).

This running event is in support of the Integrity Initiative led by different public and private sectors, the ”I Run For Integrity” is envisioned to be a historical event and a bold move by the sectors as a CALL FOR THE WHOLE NATION to join the RUN towards a New Philippines – A country that will be known for its Integrity.

Personally, I don’t engage myself to fun run like this. My reason: (Although I love sports) I don’t think I need serious involvement into fun run activities because of my petite body (?). But when I experienced running and completed the 3k dash a while ago, I had fun and did really enjoy. And the idea of not involving myself to this kind of event has changed. I am now looking forward to more fun run events. And now, to beat my 3k running into 15k!

Early this morning I went to our church’s Batangas Outreach for a talk but before getting there I needed to wait for my Kim to pick me up at the “diversion”.  While waiting for him, I noticed this sign that says “Bawal ang Plastic at Styro” (Plastic and Styrofoam are prohibited).

Starting June 2011, just like Muntinlupa City, through its Batangas E-code, Art. XII, section 84, Batangas City becomes plastic-free.  So three days from now, we can no longer see grocers and buyers in public market carrying the items they bought in plastic bags. BYOB! Ala e, Bring Your Own Bag or Bayong!

I commend this drive or campaign of Batangas City government. Two thumbs up for you!

US President Barack Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden is dead during a firefight in Pakistan on Sunday.

Bin Laden was killed by the US forces inside a mansion in Abbottabad, a city about 30 miles north of Islamabad. No US citizens were harmed in the attack and that the US has the possession of the Bin Laden’s body.

Obama said that the said attack or mission was authorized by him last Friday after he determined that they had enough intelligence to take action.

See President Obamas’ video of this announcement:

After the killing of Bin Laden, what’s next?

President Benigno Aquino III declares today through Proclamation no. 154 that June 20, 2011, Monday, is a special non-working holiday in commemoration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested to declare the said day as special non-working holiday instead of June 19, 2011 (Dr. Jose Rizal’s birthday) which falls on Sunday.

Read the complete details on the pdf format of Proclation no. 154.

Something’s wrong with the title. The 8.9 magnitude should be 9.0 magnitude because the U.S. Geological Survey has upgraded it. This upgrade happens after Japan’s Meteorological Agency did the same.

The upgrade makes Japan’s quake fourth largest in the world since 1900.

We’re not going to discuss the effects of the Japan’s quake to the lives of many Japanese people, instead, we will answer the question of “What happened to the planet earth (physically) after the earthquake?” [via Yahoo News]

1. Japan moved closer to the United States by 13 feet
2. Earth’s axis was shifted by 6.5 inches
3. Shortened the day by 1.6 micro-seconds (Sumatra’s 2004 quake shortened the day by 6.8 micro-seconds)
4. Sank Japan downward by about two feet

The above numbers were determined through the high-tech sensors placed by Japan in 1995, after the quake which happened that time. The sensors are placed to observe even the slightest movements.

The following tips and related information on radiological emergencies are taken from PNRI’s primer entitled Preparedness for Radiation-Related Emergencies Thru RADPLAN. RADPLAN was approved and signed on November 24, 2000 by former Secretary of National Defense Orlando S. Mercado.

In addition, PNRI or Philippine Nuclear Research Institute is part of Department of Science and Technology which is the lead agency in developing and preparing an emergency plan for radiation-related accidents that may affect the Philippines.

What is a radiation-related emergency or radiological emergency?

A radiation-related emergency or radiological emergency is an event that poses an actual, potential, or perceived danger to public health and safety from radioactive materials or radiation equipment.

What are the different types of radiological emergencies? The different types of radiological emergencies are the following:

• Emergency from fixed nuclear or radiation facilities
• Emergencies occurring in the transport or loss radioactive materials
• Emergencies from foreign sources having environmental or health impact on Philippines territories, including the possible entry of contaminated food, scrap metals and other materials
• Emergencies from nuclear-powered ships
• Emergencies from re-entry of satellites with nuclear materials as components

What are the levels of radiological emergencies? The three levels of radiological emergencies that cover the wide range of preparedness and response levels are:

• Emergency Level 1 – Alert

A radiation-related accident has occurred in a nuclear-related facility but the event has not directly affected in the Philippines and the population in particular. Examples are radiological emergencies involving abnormal operating conditions due to equipment failure, human error or procedural inadequacies.

• Emergency Level 2 – Site Area Emergency

A radiation-related emergency has occurred and has been confirmed to have affected a specifically defined area in the Philippines or the area within the site boundaries of a nuclear radiation facility.The actual or projected radiation levels at the site are expected to be insignificant quantities.

• Emergency Level 3 – General Emergency

The radiological emergency has been confirmed to affect wide areas outside the site boundaries of the affected facility, or its effect has already been felt. Actual or projected radiation doses are beyond the prescribed limits for members of the public.

What is the emergency plan for radiation-related accidents in the Philippines?

The emergency plan for radiation-related accidents that may affect the Philippines is called the National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (RADPLAN). The RADPLAN describes the capabilities, responsibilities, and authorities of participating organizations and a concept for integrating the activities of these agencies to protect public health and safety.

The RADPLAN aims to establish an organized emergency response to capability for timely and coordinated action of the Philippine authorities in a peacetime radiological incident or emergency.

What organizations will be involved in a national radiological emergency response?

The National Radiological Emergency Response Organization is composed of the National Disaster Coordinating Council; 12 government departments; Offices of the President and the Press Secretary; and the Philippine National Red Cross.

Under what conditions will the RADPLAN be activated?

The RADPLAN will be activated under the following conditions:

• When a regional or local authority, other national organizations with jurisdiction, or the private sector requests government support in the event of a radiological emergency;
• When government agencies must respond to meet their statutory obligations in response to a radiological emergency.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the PNRI will make a joint formal declaration of the activation of the RADPLAN and will notify concerned participating agencies and the affected local disaster coordinating councils.

How will the operations in a national emergency be managed?

The management of the national response is determined by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The national response requires the coordinated action of several national agencies and the appropriate authorities in the local government organizations that need assistance.

The concept of operations for a national response is designed to facilitate the delivery of coordinated assistance to government authorities and the private sector.

The OCD and PNRI are responsible to all radiological emergencies anywhere in the country. The OCD will coordinate all non-nuclear response activities while the PNRI will coordinate all nuclear response activities. The responsibilities of the PNRI in coordinating all national nuclear response activities are defined in another emergency plan known as the PNRI Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RESPLAN).

What should the public do in case of radiation-related emergencies?

In case of radiation-related emergencies, remember the following:

1. Do not panic. Remain calm.
2. Protect yourself from radiation exposure. Make effective use of the principles of time, distance, and shielding (TDS).
3. Stay indoors and close your windows.
4. Watch out for emergency information from television and radios.

The TDS Principles

Time. The radiation dose is reduced if exposure time to the radioactive material is kept to a minimum.

Distance. Exposure dose is decreased the farther you are from the radiation source.

Shielding. Thick, heavy, and dense materials such as concrete, lead, earth or steel reduces the radiation intensity.

There are rumors circulating via text messages that “acid rain” may fall on the Philippines due to Japan’s quake-hit nuclear power plant (Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant). However, PAGASA denied the said rumors saying that there’s no basis for such claims.

According to PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, the winds from Japan are moving away from us (Philippines). It’s not true that these winds contain acid rain.

Also, according to DOST secretary Mario Montejo, the “Chernobyl scenario’ of radioactive clouds from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant may be gone in few days’ time. There’s nothing to worry about because Philippines’ nuclear scientists are monitoring the situation along with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institure (PNRI).  Montejo also added that nuclear power plants have redundant safety precautions in place which include containment vessels that would keep radiation from getting out of the plant.

[Tips on coping with radiation emergencies]