Batangas Today: “Time Person of the Year 2012 is Kim Jong Un of North Korea, based on readers’ polls” plus 6 more

Time Person of the Year 2012 is Kim Jong Un of North Korea, based on readers’ polls
Today Show anchor retires after 32 years, Mike Leonard pays tribute to wife on his final story (Video)
Pyramid shaped mountain Mount Rtanj attracts tons of people, hoping to save them from Apocalypse
L.A. Reid leaving X-Factor USA judging panel, emphasizing that he is in good terms with Simon Cowell
Virgin Mary statue unearthed from construction site in Massachusetts (Photo)
Jesus look-alike kicked out from a Dart tournament, after crowd laugh at him (Video)
Muslim Letter To Santa: Fourth Grade Muslim Student Wrote A Letter To Santa Claus

Time Person of the Year 2012 is Kim Jong Un of North Korea, based on readers’ polls

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 08:05 AM PST

The so-called Time Person of the Year for 2012 is Kim Jong Un, current leader of North Korea, based on their reader’s polls. However, Time magazine emphasized that it does not follow that he will be their official Person of the Year 2012, which will be formally announced on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at NBC‘s Today Show.

Kim Jong Un on Time magazine cover
Image Credit: Time.com

As noted at Time.com on Thursday, December 13, Kim Jong Un won the votes of their readers to be the Person of the Year this year, garnering 97.61% or around 5.6 million votes. He has been duped by The Onion report, a satirical newspaper, naming him as the ‘Sexiest Man Alive for 2012′ last month.

“While we don’t make our selection based on the poll results, it’s always interesting to see where some of our preferred candidates end up.” Time magazine executive editor Radhika Jones was quoted in the report in a recent interview, with Kim Jong Un being featured in their cover story last February.

Meanwhile, among those included in the Top 10 via Time‘s readers polls are ‘The Daily Show’ funny man Jon Stewart, Undocumented Immigrants, Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas, Burmese leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Thein Sein, Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Interestingly, South Korean rapper superstar Psy, who created and sang the worldwide phenomenal hit ‘Gangnam Style,’ which is now the most-watched video in YouTube history, beating Justin Bieber‘s ‘Baby’ music video, landed on the 17th spot on Time's readers polls.

Last year, an unusual choice of Time Person of the Year was made, which went to an unknown protester, whose face covered except for the eyes. He was simply called The Protester and had the tagline, “from the Arab springs to Athens, from Occupy Wall Street to Moscow.”

Today Show anchor retires after 32 years, Mike Leonard pays tribute to wife on his final story (Video)

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 06:41 AM PST

Mike Leonard, NBC‘s Today Show anchor retires after 32 years of being a featured correspondent and writer on the show. On Thursday, December 13, 2012, Leonard made his final report, paying tribute to wife Cathy, whom he has inspired him “to see the beauty in our everyday existence,” as shown in the video below.

Today Show anchor Mike Leonard, on his last day
on the show, for his segment “Leonard's Look”
Image Credit: NBC video

As aired at NBC on Thursday morning, Mike Leonard appeared on Today Show and featured a story on how he started as a TV journalist and writer, noting that his lucky break started earlier, when he got married to his wife. A compiled video of his married life, showing family occasions, the growing children, among others.

“I’ve got a lot of lucky breaks, lucky to have a family like that I have, right back there for forgiving me for all my flaws, and also I’m really really very lucky to have Today Show family.” Leonard said after when the video was finished, pointing to his wife and children standing near by and teary eyed.

“No, we are the lucky ones. Let me tell you something. Your stories…are a microcosm of you. They all have incredible heart, they’re told with kindness, and hope, and modesty. They are understated and yet so powerful, and that is you in a nutshell.” Matt Lauer told Mike, who is known for his stories on everyday life.

Leonard, who turned 65 last November 30, is known for his segment “Leonard’s Look,” which features inspirational stories of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things, but sometimes, he also shares stories of his family. He has five grown children, Matt, Megan, Kerry, and Brendan, along with five grandchildren.

Today Show anchor Mike Leonard retires, pays tribute to wife Cathy
Video Credit: NBC Today Show

Pyramid shaped mountain Mount Rtanj attracts tons of people, hoping to save them from Apocalypse

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 04:46 AM PST

Mount Rtanj, a pyramid shaped mountain in eastern Serbia, is now attracting tons of people, hoping to save them from the alleged apocalypse, or end of the world, which is being believed to happen on Friday, December 21, 2012, citing the Mayan calendar prediction of doomsday.

According to ABC News on Thursday, December 13, 2012, hundreds of people are now arriving at Mount Rtanj, which is almost perfectly shaped as pyramid, and legends say that it was built by aliens thousands of years ago and is allegedly emitting mystical energies that can protect believers from the end of the world.

“We all know that aliens have been there for thousands of years. They may be the forces who will help us get through this time.” Vladimir Petrovic, editor of a Belgrade-based publishing company specializing in esoteric literature, was quoted in the report.

Mt Rtanj, which is 5,400 feet (1.656 meters) high, is located in the Serbian Carpathian Mountains, and is sitting in between towns of Boljevac on north and Sokobanja on south. The so-called Rtanj tea, which is made from herbal of winter savory, is a widely known product of Rtanj.

Legend says that a wizard once lived in a great castle at its summit, guarding a buried gold treasure, with the castle now replaced by a small chapel to Saint George. The said chapel was reportedly built in 1932 by the wife of a former local miner, but was later destroyed by treasure hunters.

Meanwhile, villagers noted that hotels, inns, and beds are being booked fast and calls were overflowing. Outsiders, including Austrians, French, and Australians, have been requesting for reservations to stay near the pyramid shaped mountain starting this Friday, December 14, until January 2013.

Pyramid shaped mountain Mount Rtanj
Image Credit: Tamburix/Wikipedia

L.A. Reid leaving X-Factor USA judging panel, emphasizing that he is in good terms with Simon Cowell

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 03:03 AM PST

L.A. Reid is leaving X-Factor USA next year, after being one of the show judges for the first two seasons. Reid, 56, who is currently the Chairman and CEO of Epic Records, said he will not be returning to the show on its Season 3, with auditions being expected to start in March 2013.

L.A. Reid at X-Factor USA
Image Credit: Fox

“I have decided that I will not return to ‘The X-Factor‘ next year. I have to go back and I have a company to run that I’ve kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit.” L.A. Reid tells Shaun Robinson of Access Hollywood in an exclusive interview this Thursday, December 13, 2012.

“It was a nice break, it was a nice departure from what I’ve done for the past 20 years, but now I gotta go back to work.” Reid added, noting that he will always support the show, and that he has nothing but good words for Simon Cowell, who is now being joined by Britney Spears and Demi Lovato as show judges.

L.A. Reid noted that he is not closing its door of returning to the show later, emphasizing that he now needs to focus on his musical performers. But for the meantime, he said he would love to see Jon Bon Jovi to be his replacement as the X-Factor USA judge.

“I have the utmost respect for Simon Cowell. He is the very best, and I have had the opportunity to learn so much from him. Working with him on X-Factor has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m honored to have sat on the panel with such incredible talent.” Reid was quoted at The Hollywood Reporter.

“Of course, I will miss the show. In my opinion Simon attracts the best talent but I’m looking forward to getting back to my core business and the responsibility of running Epic Records.” L.A. Reid added, with the X-Factor USA Season 2 to have the final performances on Wednesday, December 19, and season finale on Thursday, December 20.

Virgin Mary statue unearthed from construction site in Massachusetts (Photo)

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 02:02 AM PST

A Virgin Mary statue was unearthed last week at the construction site of the Golden Pond Assisted Living Facility, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, as shown in the photo below. It was believed to have been buried there for 20 years, but was found still intact and in good condition.

Virgin Mary statue unearthed from construction site

Virgin Mary statue, which was found buried
at construction site at Golden Pond Hopkinton
Image Credit: WBZ-TV

According to WBZ-TV, a CBS affiliate TV station in Boston, Golden Pond director William Marr said the Virgin Mary statue stands around 4 feet tall and is now in the lobby of his office for safekeeping, which may be placed at the chapel of the elderly assisted living facility next year.

“It’s even beyond incredible that it was found 20 days before Christmas. The timing of the year couldn’t be more symbolic.” Marr told the report, showing the Virgin Mary statue, noting that no one knows who buried it and why, and that he plans to talk to some historians hoping to solve its mystery.

“It was while we were trying to get tree roots pulled out that the excavator shovel pulled the statue out of the ground. A resident was walking along the sidewalk in the back of the building and saw the statue sitting in the pile of dirt.” Marr added, with some residents saying that the discovery could be sending a message to believers.

Jesus look-alike kicked out from a Dart tournament, after crowd laugh at him (Video)

Posted: 13 Dec 2012 10:58 PM PST

A so-called Jesus look-alike fan was kicked out while watching a Dart tournament in England, as shown in the video below. The man, who was wearing a beard that resembles that of Jesus Christ, was watching the game being aired live via ITV4 but was later escorted by the sports security guards outside the venue.

Jesus look-alike Nathan Grindal
Image Credit: Adam Gerard/SWNS.com

According to the Daily Mail on Thursday, December 13, 2012, the Jesus look-alike man, who was identified as Nathan Grindal, was watching the Cash Converters Players’ Championship with his friends, along with around 4,000 dart fans, when someone was heard shouting, “Stand up if you love Jesus”, pointing at him.

As noted in the report, some of the fans started to laugh when they noticed Grindal until the game between Phil Taylor and Kim Huybrechts was being distracted. With the game abruptly interrupted, he was escorted by six guards to a nearby pub, where he watched the rest of the game.

“It was all very weird and distressing. I didn’t break down crying but I did get emotionally distraught. They were bullying me and picking on me, saying that I was someone else. It would have been okay if the security hadn’t made a fuss getting me out of the arena.” Grindal was quoted in the report, who moved from Australia to Oxford six years ago.

“In his post-match interview, Phil Taylor said something like ‘if I ever see Jesus again, I’ll crucify him myself.’ Now that’s just hurtful. I love darts, but I’m worried about ever going to see it live again, just in case the crowd turns on me like they did last time.” The 33-year old Jesus look-alike dart fan added.

“I didn’t go to the darts dressed as Jesus – I went as me.” Grindal explained further, noting that he started growing his beard four months ago. Professional Darts Corporation spokesman Dave Allen later said that the crowd seemed to be uncontrollable, which is why the security decided to eject from watching the game.

Jesus look-alike fan Nathan Grindal, being escorted by authorities outside a Dart tournament
Video Credit: jonmillsswns/YouTube

Muslim Letter To Santa: Fourth Grade Muslim Student Wrote A Letter To Santa Claus

Posted: 13 Dec 2012 07:59 PM PST

Santa Claus reading letter
Image Credit: sookietex

A fourth-grade Muslim student wrote a letter to Santa Claus after told to do so for a school assignment, in which the letter went viral after it was posted on Reddit, international news sites reported on Wednesday, December 12, 2012.

According to reports, it was the first time the Muslim student wrote a letter to Santa. However, unlike other letters to Santa, the kid did not ask for presents, instead, the kid thanked Santa for “spreading happiness around the earth.”

Furthermore, the Muslim student is also curious and asked Santa how he delivers presents to children around the world in just one night.

Reports said that the letter has caused some controversy as to why a Muslim child was required to write a letter to Santa Claus, a figure associated with a Christian holiday.

The daughter of the teacher who posted the letter on Reddit defended her mom, saying, “To my mother’s defense I don’t think the assignment was meant to be a religious one, and the student was given other options. However, she chose to write a letter to Santa and did so adorably, so I wanted to share it with you guys.”

Below is a copy of the Muslim‘s letter to Santa: