Thanks, Photoshop!

            Because Photoshop is too mainstream, say hello no more to your doctors for there’s an easy way to achieve your dream stature. All you need is a computer with installed Photoshop application. With the technologies they offer, different industries uses this computer software to boost their photos into a better one.

            In accordance with this, Preview magazines’ January 2012 issue reaped lots of controversies when the international singing sensation Charice Pempengco’s cover photo was said to be heavily photoshopped.

            Preview said, "What the public needs to understand is that Preview doesn't rely on Photoshop to produce its photos. For every Preview shoot, we are proud to say that we assemble the best team and crew."

            Netizens drew mixed feedbacks from different social networking sites varying from admiration to outright incredulity.

"If you buy the issue you'll see that Charice looks the same in all the photos. It's difficult to achieve that consistency with Photoshop," the magazine added.

To prove that Charice’s face was not digitally altered, Preview uploaded a behind the scene footage of her photo shoot.

Well, guess what? Charice’s not alone on this issue. The wife of Manny Pacquiao, Jinkee, also harvested lots of reactions and disbelief on her cover photo for the January 2012 issue of Mega magazine. Many argued if it was really Jinkee for it was exaggeratedly photoshopped. Moreover, both Jinkee and Charice trended locally for the debate if it was really them has been so hot.

Apparently, this was not the first time that cover photos were questioned for altering some features of their models. Last August 2009, again, for Mega magazine, Katrina Halili just dazed us for her evidently longed fingers.

Some art designer must have thought that Katrina Halili was too short for the cover of Mega and presumably ordered the resident Photoshop specialist to stretch her out a bit, make her taller and do something with her hands.

Got problems in your anatomy? Worry no more! Photoshop’s on your back! Be the next Photoshop Queen. :P

The Amazing World of Mr. Doob!

                It’s a whole new world for your computer screen from Mr. Doob himself, Ricardo Bello, as he showcases his most famous demoscenes and WebGL projects on his website, http://mrdoob.com/. Below are some his works that he has posted on YouTube.

                

Sample output from Mr Doob's Harmony

Techy-Geeky Stuff and Lots and Lots of Fun!

Mr. Doob is famous for his work in JavaScript, Flash and WebGL where users can play with interactive applications that guarantee hours and hours of fun especially for those who have too much on their hands. These apps work on HTML and HTML5 and usually run on compatible web browsers.

He has created Google Chrome experiments. This includes Google Gravity—an application where all the elements of the Google homepage collapses at a click of a mouse button and users can drag everything around the browser page. He has also created Google Sphere—another application that runs of JavaScript where the elements of the Google homepage revolves around the logo. Both apps have been enjoyed by millions of users since it was introduced online. The amazing part about these apps is that they can still be used the way the ordinary Google page can be used.

He has also worked with demoscenes—a computer subculture that showcase a developer’s skill in programming and digital art through non-interactive demos, usually audio-video presentations, since he was 12.

His work in Flash and JavaScript has also garnered a fan base globally. His famous works include Harmony, an interactive sketching application where users can draw almost anything. Below is his interactive program that many users have found hours of amusement in:

You can find more of Mr. Doob's captivating work at his website http://mrdoob.com.

Natural Medicines 101

                     Department of Health (DOH) endorsed herbal medicines in their “Traditional Health Program” as remedy to variety of diseases. Wondering what are the benefits of taking these natural medicines? Well, in the first place, it’s economical; as a matter of fact you might have these plants on your backyards! You can easily alleviate what’s bugging you by just looking around. Second, it was clinically tested and established to cure our ailments according to DOH. Third, it’s safe, that’s for sure for it’s all natural and organic. And overall, it’s healthy! So, worry no more!

Akapulko - (Ringworm Bush) - Cassia Alata
Akapulko is a shrub that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid. The leaves are reported to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, being used in the same manner as senna. The leaves are commonly used for ringworm and other skin diseases. The leaves in decoction are also used to treat bronchitis and asthma.

Ampalaya - (Bitter Gourd) - Momordica Charantia
There has been much research done on the effectiveness of using Momordica Charantia in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to increase production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce insulin. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for its ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is a common herb used in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the leaves are often used for children's coughs.  It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women, as a parasiticide, as an antipyretic, and as a purgative.

Bawang - (Garlic) - Allium Sativum
Bawang is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. Bawang is a diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, anthelmintic, and stimulant. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized. Bawang is an invaluable medicine for asthma, hoarseness, coughs, difficulty of breathing, and most other disorders of the lungs, being of particular virtue in chronic bronchitis, on account of its powers of promoting expectoration. Dr. James Balch, in his book “The Super Anti-Oxidants,” states that garlic acts as a super antioxidant, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, balances blood sugar, prevents heart disease, assists in fat metabolism, and aids in cancer prevention.

Bayabas - (Guava) - Psidium Guajava

The leaves and bark are known to be astringent, vulnerary, and antidiarrhetic. The bark is used in the chronic diarrhea of children. The fruit is known to be anthelmintic, and is used for high blood pressure, poor circulation, diabetes and asthma. The fruit also has probably the highest concentration of vitamin C of any of the tropical fruits in the Philippines.

Lagundi - (Five Leafed Chaste Tree) - Vitex Negundo
The root is reported to be tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant. The root is also used in a great variety of diseases: dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and leprosy. The flowers are used in diarrhea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver, and are also recommended as a cardiac tonic. The seeds make a cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy, and for inflammation of the mouth. The leaves are reported to be used for coughs and asthma.

Niyog-niyogan - (Chinese honey suckle) - Quisqualis Indica

Niyog-niyogan is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose.

Sambong - (Blumea Camphor) - Blumea Balsamifera

Sambong is good for the dissolution of kidney stones. The leaves of Sambong are used as a tea in the Philippines, and as a cure for colds. It is also said to have antidiarrhetic and antigastralgic properties. It is also used as an expectorant. It is given for worms and dysentery. It is one of the most common used medicinal herbs in the Philippines.

 
Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam)

Prepared like tea, this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouth wash since the leaves of this shrub has high fluoride content.

Ulasimang Bato | Pansit-Pansitan (Peperomia pellucid)

It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the decoction, boil a cup of clean chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let cool and drink a cup after meals (3 times day).

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Yerba Buena commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.

Source: http://www.philippineherbs.com/philippineherbindex.htm