From Boredom to Random

Even though rain drifts casually while everyone’s feeling the scorching heat, it is still summer especially with asianTraveler’s Beaches of Southeast Asia 6 edition.

Enjoy more of summer with our behind the scenes video during our issue’s fashion pictorial at Puerto Azul Beach Resort and Country Club at Ternate, Cavite.

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Photography by: Terence Ver S. Angsioco, Gabriel Dela Cruz
Videographer: Aaron Delos Santos

Swimwear by: Soak Swimwear
Clothing by: Forever 21 and Uniqlo

Models: Julia Quisumbing, Janka Cederstam, and Bianca Paz

asianTraveler Magazine Beaches of Southeast Asia 6 Breathtaking Beaches now available at all major newsstands nationwide

For more visit:
http://www.facebook.com/asiantravelermagazine
http://www.twitter.com/asiantravelmag
http://www.asiantravelermagazine.com

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27th Apr 2013 - Saturday, 1:28 pm
Zedd

—Clarity (Ft. Foxes)

Summer is one of the perfect time to enjoy and listen to either house or soul music (which both of them, I can’t hardly identify the difference). Blame it on countless beach parties as well as the trend now in the concert scene. 

I was told that summer is also the best time to feel the love and fall in love.Many people would blame it on the heat, saying it makes us do the craziest things and brave moves when approaching your crush. As what I’ve read, it is one of the body’s neuro-responses to direct exposure to sunlight prompting the brain to produce more serotonin.This natural anti-depressant makes us feel more positive, light-headed, and more confident about ourselves, so we gain self-esteem to approach a crush or even an attractive stranger.

Okay so much for the scientific stuffs, and let’s just enjoy this music entitled “Clarity” by Zedd ft. The Foxes.

I dive into frozen waves where the past comes back to life
Fight fear for the selfish pain, it was worth it every time
Hold still right before we crash ‘cause we both know how this ends
A clock ticks ‘til it breaks your glass and I drown in you again

‘Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn’t need
Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don’t know why
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love’s insanity, why are you my clarity?

If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love’s insanity, why are you my clarity?

Walk on through a red parade and refuse to make amends
It cuts deep through our ground and makes us forget all common sense
Don’t speak as I try to leave ‘cause we both know what we’ll choose
If you pull then I’ll push too deep and I’ll fall right back to you

‘Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn’t need
Chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don’t know why
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love’s insanity, why are you my clarity?

Why are you my clarity?
Why are you my remedy?
Why are you my clarity?
Why are you my remedy?

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27th Apr 2013 - Saturday, 1:27 pm
  Finally, the much-awaited, most-anticipated issue of asianTraveler magazine this year. The 3-month fruit of labor of the whole team has already arrived. At last, I’ve got my hands set on our most-treasured baby (especially of the Sales & Marketing team). I was so giddy to get myself my own copy 5 days later it arrived the doorstep of our office, as I was confined in the hospital by that time. And I’d like to congratulate the whole team for such a successful issue. Hope I’d still be able to make it halfway for the conception of another issue this June. As after the success of the 6th edition of Beaches of Southeast Asia, another BIG thing (as quoted by my dear Marketing Executive, Nikki) is coming in our Secrets of the Cities issue. And I can’t wait to be part of it. So please, everyone, pray for my speedy recovery. Fast forward to the next 2 weeks already…

 

Finally, the much-awaited, most-anticipated issue of asianTraveler magazine this year. The 3-month fruit of labor of the whole team has already arrived.

At last, I’ve got my hands set on our most-treasured baby (especially of the Sales & Marketing team). I was so giddy to get myself my own copy 5 days later it arrived the doorstep of our office, as I was confined in the hospital by that time.

And I’d like to congratulate the whole team for such a successful issue. Hope I’d still be able to make it halfway for the conception of another issue this June. As after the success of the 6th edition of Beaches of Southeast Asia, another BIG thing (as quoted by my dear Marketing Executive, Nikki) is coming in our Secrets of the Cities issue. And I can’t wait to be part of it. So please, everyone, pray for my speedy recovery. Fast forward to the next 2 weeks already…

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20th Apr 2013 - Saturday, 7:47 pm | 1 note

Another milestone, another chapter, another challenge.

After enduring almost 4 semesters while trying to balance exhaustion from a 5-day job, finalizing academic papers on Friday nights, and trying to sacrifice my social-Saturdays, finally… the waiting’s over. I finally made it on stage, shook hands with my professors while welcoming me into the field of Education.

Even from the start when I started helping Mom every March for our school’s graduation requirements (I was doing all the diploma and invitation layouts way back 2000) until I got a part-time job as a Computer teacher, I have never imagined taking it seriously on being part of the Education world. Until last year when Mom convinced me to take up TECP (Teacher’s Education Certificate Program) units and at the same time enroll in a Masteral studies. It have never gotten into my mind of finishing it until the end. 

It was all through the staff of our school, my friends, other people who have supported me, and most of all, Mom who have always believed in me. 

Of course, being a Communication graduate who have majored in Advertising, no one can blame me if this have never been part of my bucket list. But since Dad (who’s always been Mom’s right and support hand in our school) passed away, there’d be no one closest in the family to give Mom a hand on this than me before my sister. 

So thank you to my friends who have given me a lot of patience when I’m ditching them on some social events, dinners or parties; to my boss who’s been so understanding when I have to be absent to fix my school requirements; to Dad who have helped me made my prayers to the fast lane; to Mom and my sister for cheering me up during my stressful paper days; and most of all, to my Lord. 

Without you, I would’ve never got my diploma. :)

xoxo,

Andrea Agahan, MaEd major in Administration and Supervision

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5th Apr 2013 - Friday, 10:16 am

My summer and April soundtrack very much suits the hotness of JT. Agree? After being hooked with his Suits and Tie, it’s Mirrors this time. It’s been on repeat in my iPod the moment I downloaded it.

Is it just me or the song really has a deep emotion being brought up while it is sung?

Read along the lyrics below and see for yourself. 

Aren’t you something to admire, ‘cause your shine is something like a mirror
And I can’t help but notice, you reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and the glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I’m always parallel on the other side

‘Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass, I’m here trying to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m looking right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Coming back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Aren’t you something, an original, ‘cause it doesn’t seem merely assembled
And I can’t help but stare ‘cause I see truth somewhere in your eyes
Ooh I can’t ever change without you, you reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I would look at us all the time

‘Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass, I’m here trying to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m looking right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Coming back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
I can see you looking back at me
Keep your eyes on me
Baby, keep your eyes on me

‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m looking right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now (show me baby)
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Coming back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

You are you are the love of my life

Now you’re the inspiration for this precious song
And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on
So now I say goodbye to the old me, it’s already gone
And I can’t wait wait wait wait wait to get you home
Just to let you know, you are

You are you are the love of my life

Girl you’re my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You’re my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do

You are you are the love of my life

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4th Apr 2013 - Thursday, 4:22 pm | 1 note

Summer Must-haves

Summer and Christmas are two of my favorite seasons every year, where I usually make either my wishlist or bucket list. And since I’m super excited to get my toes warmed by the sand, get a tan while listening to my iPod and go boy watching by the shore with my super perky gay and fabulous girl friends, I’ve made my summer bucket list like the usual.

Of course, as every woman does, we usually pack almost our whole closet, but these are just some of the essentials that I shouldn’t forget:

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1. Swimsuits - I would always go for the bandeau or string type to avoid ugly tan lines. Just imagine wearing a dress after, and your tan lines are popping out. 

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2. Sunblock - my top choice: Beach Hut Max 100 (as I’ve proven it’s effectiveness before where I didn’t get even a single sunburn when we ran out of cottage / hut to stay in) and Pevonia Botanica hydrating sunscreen SPF 30 (which they sent one in my office as a Christmas gift last year). I love that it smells like a baby, and doesn’t feel oily in face. 

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3. Shades in all shapes - Stay with the basics, as simple as it is. You can never go wrong with either an aviator, wayfarer or you can show your fierce side with the cat eye. 

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4. Summer Nails - Since you can’t wear make-up when you’re on the beach, there’s still nail polishes if you still want a pop of color. I think, I can’t even go for a week without having a mani-pedi fix. Ugly nails are a turn off. Agree?

5. Playlist - as a person who can’t live without music, there should always be a playlist for whatever occasion, mood, company, etc.

  • Summer Vibe by Walk Off the Earth
  • Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammer
  • Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia
  • Ever After by Bonnie Bailey
  • Hey Soul Sister by Train
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26th Mar 2013 - Tuesday, 1:25 pm

Summer Fashion Don’ts

Summer is scorching hot these days, that I don’t even want to get out of my air conditioned office. I wanted to soak up in the beach and sip some watermelon shake but I can’t right now until I graduated on the 12th of April (old people’s saying that some mishap might happen).

So I just keep it cool by browsing and reading on summer tips like these fashion don’ts which would instead make you look hot, you’ll burn yourself in embarrassment through a fashion police’s eyes.

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1. Socks and Sandals. I have no words. Just stop it. I mean, seriously?

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2. High Fashion Bathing Suits. If you’re buying a very expensive swimsuit that you’re not even sure should get wet, we need to talk. And what’s up with the tan lines you’ll be toting around the next day? Not cute.

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3. Exposed Bra Straps. …Or in this case, an exposed bra. It’s become almost admissible to have bra straps peeking out from tank tops — and it’s almost always the dingy-looking bra that’s been washed too many times — but can we agree that this looks flattering on no one? Ladies, the strapless bra exists.

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4. Unmanicured Feet. Speaking of feet. Men and women alike are guilty of this, and it’s probably my biggest pet peeve. If you aren’t going wear your pretty little sandals or your manly summer flip flops, at least make your feet look presentable.

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5. Too Much Skin, All At Once. Women: Follow the basic role of accentuating (or exposing) one area at a time. So if you’re showing a lot of leg, put away the cleavage. If you’re wearing a strapless dress, slightly lower the hem past peek-a-boo status. 

Men: No one wants to see your upper thighs. Fact. 

P.S. Denim on denim is very in these days — needless to say, he didn’t pull off the look.

(Source: Yahoo!)

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7th Mar 2013 - Thursday, 11:05 am

Come feel my heart
It’s beating like a drum and I confess
When you’re aroundIt’s like an army’s marching through my chest

And there’s nothing I can do
I just gravitate towards you
You’re pulling on me like the moon
I just wanna get you sideways
I say anything I can to get me more than just a dance
Tell me where to put my hands
You know that you could be my favorite one-night stand

You get me higher

What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Do if I said it tonight?
What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Cause you know I la, la, la, lie

You’re like a song
A beautiful symphony to my eyes
So take me on
I wanna sing along all through the night

I’m not like the other boys
Cause with you I’ve got no choice
You make me wanna lose my voice
I just wanna get you sideways
No, I’m not the type to lie
But I might just start tonight
Let me turn off all the lights
You know that you could be my favorite lullaby

You get me higher

What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Do If I said it tonight?
What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Cause you know I la, la, la, lie

Like a symphony
Like a symphony
Like a symphony tonight
Like a symphony
Like a symphony
Like a symphony tonight
Sounds like a symphony

Like a symphony
Like a symphony tonight
Like a symphony
Like a symphony
Like a symphony tonight

What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Do If I said it tonight?
What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Cause you know I la, la, la, la, la, oooh

What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Do if I said it tonight?
What would you do if I told you that I la, la, la, la, loved you?
Cause you know I la, la, la, lie
Ooooh

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13th Feb 2013 - Wednesday, 9:46 am

Oh hello love month February! :) Since they year started, I’ve been bombarded with strict deadlines and hectic schedules that I’ve hardly even had time to squeeze in a little blogging. But hooray for me, I’ve made it on the 13th day of this month. Quite an accomplishment, huh?

Instead of sharing to you some love, I’m sharing to you a bit of happiness to get to serotonin or what I call “happy hormones” kicking. 

As you know, I have a great love for dogs. And when I found this cool dog blog via Polyvore, this hooked me immediately browsing almost half of the blog’s content. It’s not the usual “kikay” (girly) stuffs I used to post here, but rather on a manly kick-ass attitude of a male dog. Cool right? 

So for guys out there, browse www.mensweardog.tumblr.com for some witty advice from our resident dog blogger. He’s got quite a lot of swag (oh well, I’m not fond of using that word not until now) attitude and some useful fashion tips. Not too mention the cute dress-ups.

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23rd Jan 2013 - Wednesday, 5:50 pm

2013 Movie Bucket List

I included in my New Year’s resolution that I will try to watch majority of the good and best movies, thanks to my movie buddies (y’know who you are) who influenced me to learn to love watching movies and going back to reading. 

So to help me live up my New Year’s resolution, I compiled film titles and included them in my bucket list, for me to watch this year. 

  • Les Miserables
  • Zero Dark Thirty 
  • Life of Pi
  • World War Z
  • The Impossible
  • Hansel and Gretel:  Witch Hunters
  • Oz: The Great and Powerful
  • Upside Down
  • Monster’s University
  • The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - no trailer yet

  • Jurassic Park 3D
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23rd Jan 2013 - Wednesday, 12:52 pm
Bonnie Bailey

—Ever After (Eric's Beach Mix)

And now we’re slightly weathered, we’re slightly worn 
Our hands grip together, eye to eye through the storm, yet 
I still believe in ever after with you.
Cuz life is a pleasure with you by my side, 
And there ain’t no current in this river we can’t ride 
I still believe in ever after with you. 

I know this song’s a bit old way long ago already, but it made its comeback on my playlist once again. At last, after being hooked for some pop funk music last year, I think music like this will be my favorites for now. 

And I must note, that this is such a sweet song to dedicate to someone whom I can say I can’t live without FOR NOW. Because he just makes me happy no matter what I’m going through.

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Three years ago, our journey began 
Chasing down this cure, no plan in hand 
Just your pulse, my racing guide in the dark 
Just knowing with conviction from the start 

The moment your eyes made an introduction 
I felt my second violent breath of life 
Flawless to the point of being godly 
Yet I fell hard for your imperfections 

And now we’re slightly weathered, we’re slightly worn 
Our hands grip together, eye to eye through the storm, yet 
I still believe in ever after with you, yeahhhhh 
Cuz life is a pleasure with you by my side, 
And there ain’t no current in this river we can’t ride 
I still believe in ever after with you 

Nothing compares to the good times 
Feels like we’re floating, when the rest have to climb 
You made me believe in love, and not the perfect kind 
A real messy beautiful twisted sunshine 

Emotions, volcanic eruptions 
We both still care, so we’re still alive 
Tunnel vision, determination 
I want you, I want to make it right 

And now we’re slightly weathered, we’re slightly worn 
Our hands grip together, eye to eye through the storm, yet 
I still believe in ever after with you, yeahhhhh 
Cuz life is a pleasure with you by my side, 
And there ain’t no current in this river we can’t ride 
I still believe in ever after with you 

You are my twisted sunshine 
You are my twisted sunshine 

[2x] 
And now we’re slightly weathered, we’re slightly worn 
Our hands grip together, eye to eye through the storm, yet 
I still believe in ever after with you, yeahhhhh 
Cuz life is a pleasure with you by my side, 
And there ain’t no current in this river we can’t ride 
I still believe in ever after with you

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22nd Jan 2013 - Tuesday, 1:27 pm

People of my Year 2012

Inspired by Bianca Gonzales’s annual list of her own people of the year, I made my first attempt of making one for myself and for my blog which I also plan to make it an annual tradition. 

I can still remember that 2011 was really not my year where I’m unemployed and just doing freelance jobs on certain projects. But when 2012 came, a new job welcomed me. But that didn’t stayed long enough, until my former company called me again and asked if I can work for them the 2nd time around. See story here. And luckily, it went the way God willed it. Because I’m still here right now, and happy.

But if there are ups, there are also downs moments. And inspiration was very much welcome every step of the way which I owe to the ‘People of my Year’.

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  • Nicole Frances Ang - I never thought that I can work with someone who will be like my sister, literally and figuratively. An age just ahead my biological sister, she’s the new additional in asianTraveler Magazine. And she’s one hell of a tough gal to handle difficult clients and scenarios which she has just encountered right after graduation. She’s my fashion confidante, movie buddy, and office sister. I never mentioned the word ‘friend’ because she’s more than this.
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  • Hazeline Geonzon and Rodeza Aldover - after a long time, we have reunited once again. Oh sorry, not only once but twice. :) Our friendship which blossomed when we were just 11 or 12, continued. If you would like to find out more about my childhood days, they’re the right people to bug. Haha! 
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  • Gabriel and Aida dela Cruz, and asianTraveler Magazine - a non-biological family that I can call, no doubt. Not too mention that beyond certain decrescendo or crescendo mood swings, I still owe my honed skills in people which improved to marketing skills to my boss — Gabriel Dela Cruz. I think I’m the only person in the office aside from his wife (also our Managing Editor), Aida Dela Cruz who understands him. Maybe because, I’m an employer of our family business as well. But another reason why I love him is because I see him as my ‘dad’ in the office, and Ma’am Aida as my ‘mom’. 
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  • Honey Perlas - they say, angels only live in Heaven. But why do we have something like ‘Honey’ here? :) She’s the new joy of our family right now ever since she arrived last March. And one cannot deny the fact that it is either them who will make themselves smile whenever they’re with Honey, or it is Honey who will make them smile. She really is an angel. 
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  • My Belles: Kim Palanca and Ivy Tiongco - need I say more how much I love these girls? Because I think I’ve used up enough bandwidths here in my blog about our stories. Despite our distance from each other, and time constraints which barred as from regular meet-ups, our friendship and sisterhood never changed. As Kim quoted, “they are the people you can never disown”. Of course, how can you disown them when they occupy a big space in your heart. Right? I guess they are the only people that it would never be awkward to shut up for a while and not say anything even though time passes you by.
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  • Tres Marias: Mom, my sister Aly, and dog Britney II - the Hall of Famers in my People of the Year. Of course, they are with me every single day of my year and they are part of ups and downs. They inspire me everyday, they cheer me up when I’m depressed, and we pigged out together to cope up with our problems. They’re the best, even my other friends would want to be adapted by my family. Haha!

Who are the people that inspired you in 2012?

We all won’t be where we are and we all won’t have what we have if it weren’t for the wonderful, inspiring people around us.
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16th Jan 2013 - Wednesday, 2:57 pm

Mothers Know Best, Everytime

I think I should make a column here in my blog dedicated to posts about amazing dog stories and acts. I just can’t help the feeling of getting affected whenever I read such stories like the one I’m going to post right now and the one before this post. 

I first spotted these photos which caught my attention circulating around Facebook shared by a lot of people. So I checked on the link, and found the story behind Amanda: a heroic mother dog carrying her ten-day-old puppies from a blazing home to safety. 

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Love: A heroic mother dog saved her ten-day-old puppies from a house fire in Santa Rosa de Temuco, Chile

The blaze broke out at a home in Santa Rosa de Temuco, Chile, on Thursday after a car bomb went off. The mother dog - a German Shepherd mix called Amanda - risked her life to pick up the puppies in her mouth and carried them from the burning house to the safety of the fire truck.

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Instinct: Sensing the danger to her babies, Amanda picked the pups up in her mouth and moved them from the burning house to the safety of the nearby fire truck

She ran between the house and truck over and over again until all puppies were safe. After rescuing all of her pups from the blaze, Amanda sat down next to them, protecting them with her body as the firefighters fought the blaze. Amanda and her puppies were then taken to a vet where one puppy called Amparo, who had suffered severe burns, died.

The other four puppies were doing well. The vet, Felipe Lara, told Soy Chile that Amanda had defended her puppies when they tried to take them away from her to care for them.

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Tireless: She ran between the house and truck over and over again until all puppies were safe

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Safe: She gently placed the pups on the steps of the fire-truck as firefighters fought the blaze and protected them with her body

Eventually she let them check over her pups but she wanted to stay with ailing Amparo and did not want to let her from her sight.

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14th Jan 2013 - Monday, 1:37 pm

#GoodNews: Mexico dog mutilated by drug traffickers recovers

It’s time for some GOOD news to start this week. I don’t know if this is enough of a good news, but for me it is. I just get easily affected whenever I encounter news about animals especially dogs being maltreated by humans. Hello??? I thought, humans are the highest form of animals. And as far as I know, we are not even predators. So why bother hurting fellow animals?! Which made me think, people who hurt animals such kind are the lowest form of animal themselves.

Oh well, here’s the good news:

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MEXICO CITY — A dog reportedly mutilated by Mexican drug traffickers is recovering at a sanctuary for abused and abandoned dogs.

Sanctuary owner Patricia Ruiz says Pay de Limon, or Lemon Pie, was fitted with prosthetic front legs last year. The Belgian shepherd mix now walks, jumps and runs.

Ruiz says the dog was left in a trash can to die after his two fronts legs were cut off. She says people who asked her to help Pay de Limon told her that drug traffickers used the dog to practice for mutilating humans.

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Pay de Limon is one of 128 abused dogs living at the Milagros Caninos sanctuary. Dogs on wheelchairs, blind, deaf or ill, frolic and run around the huge sanctuary in the southern part of Mexico City. (AP)

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21st Dec 2012 - Friday, 10:36 am

The Annual Tradition

I’ve been doing it every year, and I always get an entertaining and amusing response from the busiest person on Earth this time of the year—Santa.

Yeah, I know this is just pure human-made and non-sense. But hell yeah, I bet when you do or try the same thing, it will made you smile. Ha! 

4 days to go… Spread the love. Merry Christmas everyone! :)

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