Batangas Today: “Pope tweets: Pope Benedict XVI answers questions via Twitter, now with over 1 million followers (Video)” plus 7 more

Pope tweets: Pope Benedict XVI answers questions via Twitter, now with over 1 million followers (Video)
Sesame Street divorce: Sesame Street now to teach kids about divorce (Video)
UC logo changed, new logo earns criticisms and petition, University of California defends design
Twitter 2012: Twitter Top Tweets of 2012 released, Obama’s ‘Four more years’ tweet leads (Video)
3-mile-wide asteroid 4179 Toutatis to pass by Earth this 12-12-12, can be viewed online
Fox anchor caught dancing to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ during commercial break on early morning show (Video)
RH Bill: Reproductive Health Bill Voting To Push Through Today
50-Foot Duck: Jackpotjoy Duck Floats On River Thames (Photo and Video)

Pope tweets: Pope Benedict XVI answers questions via Twitter, now with over 1 million followers (Video)

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 08:49 AM PST

Pope Benedict XVI sent his first tweet using his official Twitter account (@Pontifex) this Wednesday, December 12, 2012, in front of a huge crowd of Catholics in Rome, as shown in the video below. The Pope tweets using eight Twitter accounts with different languages, including English, Spanish, and Italian.

Pope Benedict XVI, sending his first tweet via
his official Twitter account
Image Credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP

“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.” The Pope wrote on his first tweet, at around 5:30 a.m. ET that day, at the Pope Paul VI Hall, and was joined on stage by top prelates and five chosen youths from across the globe.

The Pope‘s first tweet was in Italian and was shown in the huge screen in the hall. The people clapped their hands and the tweet was immediately translated in seven other languages. About an hour later, Pope Benedict XVI answered a faith-related questions asked to him via the hashtag #askpontifex.

“How can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?” The Pope tweeted later, followed by a reply to the question, “By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what he tells you in the Gospel and looking for him in those in need.” He answered another question later, and is being expected to tweet more in the future.

Back in June 2011, Pope Benedict XVI personally launched the latest Vatican news website, and sent his first tweet via its official Twitter account (@news_va_en) using an iPad, saying, “Dear Friends, I just launched News.va. Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI.”

Pope Twitter messages
Image Credit: Pope Benedict XVI Twitter

Pope Benedict XVI sending his first tweet using his official Twitter account
Video Credit: RomeReports/YouTube

Sesame Street divorce: Sesame Street now to teach kids about divorce (Video)

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 06:48 AM PST

America’s long running children show Sesame Street will now be teaching kids about divorce, and has created a video titled Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce, which a portion can be watched below. This is the second time that Sesame Street will try to teach kids about divorce after they failed before, 20 years ago.

Sesame Street characters talking about divorce
Image Credit: Sesame Street video

As noted in the post at Tumblr Storyboard on Monday, December 10, 2012, which was produced in partnership with Time.com, Sesame Street released a multimedia kit called ‘Little Children, Big Challenges: Divorce‘ that includes a storybook (‘Two Hug Day‘), a guide for parents on how to help their kids cope with divorce.

“We want kids to understand that they’re not alone, and that it’s not their fault. These kids love and adore Abby. So to know that she's going through something similar to them, something challenging, it’s like, ‘Wow.’ It makes it OK to have a whole range of feelings.” Lynn Chwatsky, Sesame Street‘s VP for outreach, who oversaw the project, was quoted in the report.

This Tuesday, the Sesame Street Workshop made an online debut of a 13-minute segment where a sparkly pink fairy named Abby Cadabby had her parents divorced for quite some time. In a scene, Abby and her friends Elmo and Rosita are drawing their houses, and Abby drew two houses.

“This one is where I live with my mommy, and this one is where I live with my daddy.” Abby told Elmo and Rosita, who both got confused and asked her how was it possible. Gordon, an adult, can be heard explaining to them that, “Divorce means that Abby‘s mommy and daddy aren’t married anymore.”

Back in 1992, Sesame Street filmed a segment titled Snuffy’s Parents Get a Divorce but it was never aired on TV. It was tested on preschoolers, just weeks before it was scheduled to air. However, it did not push through because children who watched it had a lot of worries, and were afraid that it will also happen to their parents.

Sesame Street: “What is a divorce?”
Video Credit: SesameStreet/YouTube

Sesame Street: “It’s not your fault”
Video Credit: SesameStreet/YouTube

Sesame Street: “Big Feeling” song
Video Credit: SesameStreet/YouTube

UC logo changed, new logo earns criticisms and petition, University of California defends design

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 05:06 AM PST

The new UC logo is currently earning criticisms, insults, and even a petition at Change.org, urging University of California to stop using the said logo, along with a dedicated Facebook page titled ‘Stop the UC logo Change.’ Nevertheless, the university released a statement defending their new design of logo.

“They wanted something that would reflect the innovation, the character of California — just more modern, user-friendly. That’s not to take away from the gravitas of the original seal.” Dianne Klein of UC‘s Office of the President was quoted at Mercury News on Monday, December 10, 2012.

The original UC logo, which is being used by the university for 144 years, depicts an open book, a 1868-date stamp and a “Let there be light” script., while the new logo is notably more simpler with the yellow little “C” being settled inside a blue shield-shaped “U.” University officials noted that the old logo will be still in circulation.

The new UC logo, which the university said was introduced nearly a year ago and has already appeared in websites, brochures, advertising and other places, is now being criticized and mocked, with most observers including students and alumni noting that University of California has chosen a poor design for the new logo.

“The newly designed monogram of the University of California, while attempting to be modern, loses the prestige and elegance of the current seal.” A statement reads at the petition, which was initiated by Reaz Rahman last Saturday, December 8 and now has more than 50,200 signatures.

“Please let your voice be heard and sign this petition to stop the identification of the University of California with the new monogram, and ask the Regents for an alternative solution.” The petition added, noting that the new UC logo does not represent the stature and honor of the University of California.

Meanwhile, the University of California released a statement posted on its official Facebook page, explaining their side on the creation of the new logo, with Jason Simon, the University of California Director, Marketing Communications, also explaining the decision of UC to release a new logo.

“Did we consult people and test it? Of course. And we also used it in a mobile exhibit that stopped at all 10 campuses and nearly 30 other locations throughout California from September through November. More than 60,000 people came to the tour stops, letting their voices be heard on what really matters: ensuring that Californians understand the value and commitment UC has to making our state better.” A statement reads at University of California Facebook page.

“This is not an either/or situation — we are not trading in the seal for the new mark. The seal will continue to be used to represent the UC system. Additionally, this does not replace or take the place of any campus identities. The new mark was created as a part of our broader efforts to build awareness and support for all the things that UC does to make California (and by extension the world) better.” Simon was quoted in a statement.

University of California logo: Old (left) and new
Image Credit: University of California

University of California logo transformation
Video Credit: University of California

Twitter 2012: Twitter Top Tweets of 2012 released, Obama’s ‘Four more years’ tweet leads (Video)

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:33 AM PST

Twitter released its list of Twitter Top Tweets of 2012 this Tuesday, December 11, 2012, which includes not only the trending topics of 2012, but also those considered as the Golden Tweets, Pulse of the Planet, Only on Twitter, and also the top personalities who joined Twitter this year.

President Barack Obama and US First Lady
Michelle Obama, hugging each other
Image Credit: Barack Obama Twitter

As noted by Twitter on its official blog that day, the so-called Golden Tweets include the top two tweets that generated the most retweets this year, wherein President Barack Obama landed on top and Justin Bieber as second; along with some honorable mentions that also caught the attention of Twitter users worldwide.

For the top Golden Tweet this year, President Obama (@BarackObama) tweeted, “Four more years” along with a photo of himself and US First Lady Michelle Obama hugging each other. It was sent on November 6, which has over 810,000 retweets, and became the most retweeted of 2012, and the most retweeted ever.

“RIP Avalanna. I love you” Justin Bieber (@JustinBieber) tweeted on September 6, paying tribute to Avalanna Routh, an avid Bieber fan who passed away at the age of 6 due to a rare type of brain cancer. His tweet was retweeted more than 220,000 times and had over 100,000 Favorites.

Meanwhile, among those included in Pulse of the Planet category are Summer Olympics in London, the US election, the voting for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, where over 52 million votes were cast via tweets, the Super Bowl, the Euro 2012, Superstorm Sandy, the death of Whitney Houston, and others.

For the trending topics, Twitter decided to consolidate the topics that caught the attention of the public in different categories, rather than the terms that were consistently popular. The names of new personalities in Twitter, as well as the other 2012 leading events reviewed by Twitter can be found at 2012.Twitter.com.

2012 Year on Twitter
Video Credit: Twitter/YouTube

3-mile-wide asteroid 4179 Toutatis to pass by Earth this 12-12-12, can be viewed online

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 08:26 PM PST

A 3-mile-wide asteroid (5 kilometers) is going to pass by Earth this Wednesday, December 12, 2012, (or 12-12-12), which researchers said can be viewed online via the free webcast video below. Astronomers called the huge rock as Asteroid 4179 Toutatis. It is now approaching our planet but will be too far to be dangerous.

Asteroid 4179 Toutatis, image taken on December
11, 2012 17:46 UT
Image Credit: Gianluca Masi/Francesca Nocentini/
VirtualTelescope.eu

As noted at Space.com, Slooh will webcast Toutatis views from a scope in the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa stating 3 p.m. EST on Tuesday, December 11, and another show will follow at 10 p.m. EST also this Tuesday, which will show footage from an instrument in Arizona, or at Slooh.com.

“Slooh technical staff will let the public follow this fast-moving asteroid in two different ways. In one view, the background stars will be tracked at their own rate and the asteroid will appear as an obvious streak or a moving time-lapse dot across the starry field,” Astronomy Magazine columnist Bob Berman was quoted in a statement.

“In a second view, Toutatis itself will be tracked and held steady as a tiny pointlike object, while Earth’s spin makes the background stars whiz by as streaks. Both methods will make the asteroid’s speedy orbital motion obvious as it passes us in space.” Berman added, with the asteroid to pass within 4.3 million miles (7 million kilometers) away from Earth on its closest approach.

Berman will be joined by Slooh president Patrick Paolucci in giving comments while the 3-mile-wide asteroid is making its flyby above Earth. Scientists said that Asteroid Toutatis was first viewed in 1934, and was officially discovered in 1989. It is being noted to make a single one trip around the sun every four years.

Meanwhile, the Virtual Telescope Project, which is being run by Gianluca Masi of Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory in Italy, will also be monitoring the event on its official website, VirtualTelescope.eu via a webcast video on Thursday (Dec. 13) at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT), along with complete commentaries from astrophysicists.

Asteroid 4179 Toutatis live webcast at Clay Center Observatory in Brookline, Massachusetts
Video Credit: Ustream

Fox anchor caught dancing to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ during commercial break on early morning show (Video)

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 06:24 PM PST

A female Fox anchor was caught dancing to Beyonce‘s “Single Ladies” during a commercial break on early morning show on Friday, December 9, 2012, as shown in the video. The reporter was Fox 40‘s Tia Ewing, who uploaded the video at YouTube that day, and is now going viral.

Fox anchor Tia Ewing dancing
Image Credit: Tia Ewing Fox 40 video

“Having a little fun on the morning show. I mean, it is 4:30am. Watch the entire clip, it goes to black then appears again.” Tia Ewing wrote on the YouTube video description, who can be seen on the video with her right hand holding a tablet computer while in all smiles dancing to the tune of “Single Ladies.”

“They caught me, busted! Let’s hope this doesn’t go viral!” Tia Ewing wrote on her official Facebook page also that day, with the same message on her Twitter page, along with the link of the video.Soon after, the video was posted in various major US news sites, and received tons of mixed comments.

The keyword ‘Fox anchor caught‘ immediately went trending on Twitter, and Ms. Ewing thanked all those who loved the video. She did not respond to haters and negative comments, and her followers and co-workers send her inspirational messages and moral support.

“My dancing video made it to NYDailyNews and Yahoo. Reading the comments, so many people have race issues. I was merely enjoying my job.” Tia Ewing (@TIA_EWING) tweeted this Tuesday, December 11, and later tweeted a link to Huffington Post report about her dancing act during during commercial break.

“I gotta get it where I can get it. I just didn’t know the camera was rolling.” Ewing was quoted explaining to her co-workers on-air in a later segment on the show.

Fox anchor caught dancing during commercial break on early morning show
Video Credit: Tia Ewing/YouTube

RH Bill: Reproductive Health Bill Voting To Push Through Today

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 05:46 PM PST

The Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) voting will push through today, December 12, 2012, local news sites reported on Tuesday, December 11, 2012.

RH Bill Debate
Image Credit: Vince Go / GMANetwork.com

According to a report from Inquirer.net, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said that the voting will continue even if legislators did not finish the deliberation on its amendments.

“Tomorrow, ‘finished or not finished, pass your paper’, and pass the RH Bill on second reading,” Lagman reportedly told his fellow legislators.

Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez, a critic of the proposed RH Bill confirmed the scheduled vote.

“Yes, it’s pass your paper, finished or not finished. But we will win the vote. We have about 140 voting against the bill, while they have 120,” Rodriguez was quoted as saying by Philstar.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez reportedly said that the House of Representatives is evenly split, 100-100, with 40 to 50 members still undecided.

“The 40 to 50 are the swing votes. They are the ones vulnerable to lobbying and threats by priests and bishops, who are always in the gallery,” Suarez reportedly said.

50-Foot Duck: Jackpotjoy Duck Floats On River Thames (Photo and Video)

Posted: 11 Dec 2012 04:17 PM PST

A 50-foot duck can be seen floating on the River Thames in London on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, international news sites reported that day.

According to reports, the 50-foot rubber duck is a publicity stunt for the gaming company Jackpotjoy. It was reportedly launched to celebrate the launching of Jackpotjoy‘s Facebook FUNdation.

Jackpotjoy Duck, the 50-foot duck
Credit: Jackpotjoy Facebook Page

According to Jackpotjoy‘s Facebook Page, the 50-foot rubber duck, which they called Jackpotjoy Duck, is just over 135 cans of baked beans tall. It is also 2x as tall as a house, 3x as tall as a double decker bus and 10x as tall as the Queen of Bingo.

Jackpotjoy FUNdation encourages people to submit ideas about “crazy ways to have fun.”

Below is a video of the 50-foot duck: